When you think of microplastics, you might think of the microbeads in facial scrubs or toothpaste, but these are actually just one type of microplastics. Another major source is the breaking down of larger pieces of plastic, such as litter, into smaller and smaller pieces.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and other groups will break down this topic further at a public microplastics workshop at 7 p.m., April 26, at the University of Windsor’s Katzman Lounge in Vanier Hall. IJC commissioners, expert panelists and local activists will be on hand to explain how microplastics are created and how they are impacting the Great Lakes and other local water bodies.
Recent research at the Vancouver Aquarium has shown that zooplankton --- the tiniest animals in the food chain --- are eating microplastics. While scientists are busy working on what the biological impacts of microplastics will be, there’s one thing that everyone can agree on: Plastic has no place on our shorelines and in our waterways.
While microplastics may be too small to be picked up, you can clean the visible litter at your shoreline to prevent it from becoming microplastics in the future. You can learn more about this process at the public workshop.
Since 1994, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has encouraged Canadians to protect their local shorelines from the impact of litter. Presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, the program is a joint initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, and we engage thousands of volunteers across the country every year.
Whether your favourite shoreline is a lake where you’ve shared special memories with your family, the stream that you explored as a child or the lakeside where you walk your dog, all of our waterways are connected.
Many of our volunteers are motivated by a sense of place. They want to protect their favourite shoreline from the negative impacts of litter, such as entanglement or ingestion by wildlife. They also enjoy bringing together their friends, family, community, workplace or school by doing something active and positive together.
Another motivation for our volunteers is the emerging threat of microplastics, which have received more attention in recent years because they are pervasive and persistent.
In 2015, the Shoreline Cleanup celebrated our biggest year yet, with more than 2,000 cleanups registered across the country. Of these cleanups, 263 were registered at Canadian shorelines around the Great Lakes.
You can coordinate a cleanup at any freshwater or marine shoreline in Canada, at any time of year that suits you. Take the challenge a step further and coordinate a cleanup for every season. Get started today at www.ShorelineCleanup.ca.
At the April 26 microplastics workshop, there also will be information on how local organizations like the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup are addressing these issues, and how you can become involved.
Others panelists include Dr. Hans Durr of the University of Waterloo and Keith Christman of the American Chemistry Council. U.S. Commissioner Dereth Glance will emcee the event. Join the discussion at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 at the University of Windsor’s Katzman Lounge in Vanier Hall.
Manager at the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup