Ending Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes

Protecting Freshwater Resources for Future Generations in Canada

The Great Lakes have a problem: plastic pollution! Each year, millions of pieces find their way into the lakes where they cause harm to wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. That’s where our POWERFUL plastic capture technologies come in to help tackle the issue. issue. Did you know that the concentration of plastic pollution found in the Great Lakes rivals that of the ocean’s garbage patches? Our devices have removed over 186,000 pieces of plastic from the lakes, but not without encountering some surprising items along the way: from a broomstick to even a whole head of lettuce! These discoveries highlight the journey waste can take to end up in our waters, where it doesn’t belong! The Great Lakes are the LARGEST freshwater source on Earth! There are 3,500+ plants and animals that call them home. That’s why we are grateful for your support! Together, with our GOOD DEED, we can work to ensure a healthier future for the Great Lakes and its wildlife by removing 10 pieces of plastic with every GOOD DEED.

Background

The Great Lakes are bordered by two Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states and over 107 million people (Desjardins, 2017) rely on them for a range of activities and services (e.g., drinking water, fishing, tourism, etc.). Our GOOD DEED will remove plastic pollution from the Great Lakes, contributing to the protection of over 3,500 species of plants and animals native to the region – some found nowhere else on Earth (NOAA, 2019)! Increased plastic consumption over the past several decades and improper waste management has resulted in the accumulation of significant plastic debris in the Great Lakes. This pollution contributes to a range of impacts for the environment, with under resourced communities often bearing the brunt of the consequences. Plastic has been found in drinking water and a range of Great Lakes species, including fish and birds. An estimated 10,000 kilograms of plastic flow into the Great Lakes each year from a variety of sources. The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup works to engage urban and rural communities in the fight against plastic pollution to combat its detrimental impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems and human health across the region and beyond. By removing plastic from the environment and educating communities about its impacts, the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup aims to protect the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes and promote environmental awareness across the region.

The good deed

The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup deploys innovative plastic capture technologies to remove and prevent plastic pollution across the Great Lakes region, from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior and everywhere in between. Through the use of these technologies, coupled with data collection and community engagement, the initiative aims to tackle the impacts of plastic pollution on environmental and human health – through knowledge sharing and increased awareness. Our educational outreach programs engage all audiences on topics like waste reduction and responsible consumption, fostering behavioural change across the region. The GOOD DEED will contribute to important data collection and provide opportunities for volunteer experiences across all five Great Lakes, with an already active, dedicated volunteer base of 400+. This will result in healthier environments for wildlife, cleaner shorelines and improved water quality.

Challenge

The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is a first-of-its-kind initiative using innovative technology to remove and prevent plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, from Lake Ontario to Lake Superior. Over 10 million kg (22 million lb) of plastic enter the lakes each year, with microplastic found in surface water, sediment and animals. Plastic pollution harms the ecosystem and wildlife but also poses many risks to human health and can negatively impact industries like tourism and fishing. Plastic in our lakes also makes its way to the ocean where it contributes to broader issues. There is a critical need to address the impact of plastic pollution and prevent further degradation of the Great Lakes environment and beyond. The main goal of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is to tackle the plastic pollution problem by deploying innovative capture technologies, collecting data on plastic types and sources, and raising public awareness. Since 2020, the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup has filtered over 10.9 billion litres of water and removed 34.8 K pieces of plastic debris. Collection of data on types and quantity of litter found in the Great Lakes allows our organization and its partners to better understand the sources and impacts of plastic pollution. We developed educational outreach programming to connect with diverse audiences about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and responsible consumption. The initiative collaborates with academia, communities, businesses and government to support research, advocacy, and policy initiatives aimed at addressing the issue. A significant amount of plastic will be removed from the Great Lakes through this project, resulting in cleaner shorelines, improved water quality and healthier ecosystems for humans and wildlife. We will work to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of plastic pollution with communities, businesses and policymakers, leading to behaviour and policy change that will protect the lakes into the future.