Albany Becomes 5th County to Pass Microbeads Ban

The Albany County Legislature has become the fifth statewide to pass a ban on microbeads, the tiny plastic pellets found in personal hygiene products like face wash and toothpaste.

Since the summer, a total of 11 municipalities have introduced or passed legislation following the state Senate’s failure to vote on the Microbead-Free Waters Act.

The legislation, which was sponsored by nearly 60% of all senators, passed by a vote of 139-to-1 in the Assembly.

Saima Anjam, environmental health director at Environmental Advocates of New York, says Microbeads are a needless waste that wreak havoc on our wastewater infrastructure, and hurt our waterways and wildlife.

The issue has not come up in Oneida County.