From a Facebook post made in 2019, copied here so everyone can find it more easily:

Did you know that Artistic Adornment is literally never buying glitter wholesale ever again? This is a decision we made privately years ago, but never made much of a fuss about it... Since one of our customers just inquired about it, we figure it's time to actually share our reasoning. 

Years ago, when the first "biodegradable glitter" was first introduced, we wanted to get into selling a glitter that would be better for the environment, 'cuz you know, that's the ecologically responsible thing to do. We hate the idea of microplastics ending up polluting the ocean as much as you. However, you see, so-called "biodegradable glitters" are not actually quick to biodegrade in the natural environment at all. We have confirmed this with many emails back and forth to multiple different producers of the stuff. 

So we could've bought a bunch of "biodegradable glitter" and marketed it as such. We knew that it'd be a smart marketing move, as we know our average customer is a wonderful, ethical person who cares about the environment, and wants to do what is best for it. But "biodegradable glitter" still takes a REALLY long time to biodegrade in the natural environment (not some lab-created special one that your glitter poofed onto henna paste or made into a glitter tattoo will never actually end up in).The biggest companies refused to answer our critical questions about the biodegradability and ecological impact directly at all. We decided to not buy any of it, since they could not actually prove how it was better. The argument that plastics are made from plant matter instead of oil is not compelling - primarily, this means the source material is renewable, meaning you can create infinite plastic to pollute the oceans! How is that better? Isn't it actually *worse*? Basically, we were not convinced to buy this "biodegradable glitter" - at all. 

Here are the questions we asked: 

"I'm looking for something that is actually truly biodegradable, and quite immediately ecologically responsible. So can you please tell me more about what makes your glitter more immediately biodegradable than the biodegradable versions of PET plastics? 

How long does your glitter take to break down if it simply comes into contact with regular water? How long if it is submersed? How long in an average landfill? What are the conditions you have tested it in, and what scientifically proven claims can you make about biodegradability?"

We did not receive convincing or even remotely adequate answers to these questions. 

So, ultimately, it comes down to this: Our goal is to actually reduce our impact on the environment...and the best way to do that is to buy NO more glitter... whether "biodegradable" or not. 

However, we have a HUGE backstock of standard cosmetic glitter, since we ordered in enough bulk to last us years and years, knowing we planned to be in the body art business for a good long time. 

So, that's why we still sell glitter, even though it's all terrible. It exists, and ultimately, it is going to end up back in the environment somehow. We can't make it go away now that it exists and is in our possession. But when we run out, we're out. We've consulted with a marine conservation organization, and they agree that using the glitter we have and then never buying more ever again is the truly responsible choice. We'll be donating a huge amount to a local library that has expressed interest in using it for a recurring annual project (that would buy more on their own if they didn't get ours), as well as to that same marine conservation organization, where they will use it as an educational tool. But we have more than either of these two organizations could ever really use. 

So.................there you have it - why we don't stock "biodegradable glitter", and why we still have the "bad" stuff available for sale...and how this is a reflection of, rather than in conflict with, our goal to tread as lightly on this earth as possible while sharing beautiful body art with people. 

For the record, henna is still 100% made from plants, and biodegrades at the pace of tree leaves Its 100% natural beauty is what we got into this for, and what we will stick with.