Community Scientists Hold the Key to Mitigating Microplastic Pollution

Over the past 4 months, we’ve shared knowledge from 12 microplastic experts around Canada.

We’ve learned a ton and hope you have too!

We dove into what microplastics are and why experts are concerned.

We learned how our daily activities and the Canadian climate contributes to microplastic pollution.

We established how citizens become community scientists, how environmental forensics are used to find out where microplastics in the environment come from, and how initiatives like “seabins” help stop plastic pollution at the source.

We learned that microplastics are found in Canadian farmland, in our food supply systems, in Canadian lakes and in drinking water. We saw microplastics in key species like the northern fulmar seabird and estimates of microplastics in southern resident killer whales.

The inequities of water quality in Canada were addressed and experts spoke about collaborations within industry.

Community scientists can help to provide the data we need to support science and influence change!

Here’s how...

Use the Data Trapper App to collect data on waste in your local lakes

- Dr. Chelsea Rochman

Expand the range of plastic pollution data collection by collecting and reporting on litter in your neighbourhood

- Dr. Tony Walker

Reduce single-use plastic consumption to avoid creating more microplastics

- Prof. Natalie Tufenkji]

Connect personally with the problem of microplastic pollution and inspire governments to take action

- Dr. Anna Posacka