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Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Zooming in on the Five Types of Microplastics
Plastics make up 80% of litter in the Great Lakes. From plastic water bottles and lids to grocery bags and food packaging, you’ve likely seen some form of plastic floating in Lake Ontario or on the shorelines. Here's a breakdown of the five major type of microplastics.
Comments on microplastics solutions submitted to IJC
To help assess solutions to microplastics in the Great Lakes, the International Joint Commission invited the public to "comment on their Preliminary Recommendations on Microplastics in the Great Lakes for binational, science, policy, and education solutions to microplastic pollution." Here are Waterkeeper's joint comments.
Microfibres: The microplastic causing macro-problems in global waters
There’s a lot of concern over plastics these days. Plastic pollution now accounts for 80% of all the waste in the Great Lakes. But one particular type of microplastic has long gone under the radar for years –microfibres.
Microbeads labeled “toxic” as Canada prepares to ban the tiny plastic polluters
The Government of Canada has officially labelled microbeads “toxic” under federal law. This label is the first step in the official process to ban microbeads in Canada. The ban will apply to cleansers and cosmetic products that have been polluting waterways nationwide.
Waterkeeper's comment on proposed federal microbeads regulations, March 2016
The Federal Government is currently developing regulations to eliminate the use of microbeads in personal care products. In February, the government made its proposed regulations available to the public for comment. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Fraser Riverkeeper and North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper submitted joint comments on the proposed regulations. Read them here.
Federal ban on microbeads update: Gov’t invites public to comment
The Federal Government is moving forward with its plan to enact regulations to restrict the use of microbeads in personal care products. Waterkeeper will comment on the proposed regulations, but the government wants to hear from the public too. If you have thoughts you'd like to share on banning microbeads, you have until March 10th, 2016 to submit your thoughts.
Fed Gov’t labeling microbeads as “toxic”– A step in the right direction
Recently, the Canadian Government proposed a ban on microbeads in soaps and personal care products. At first, many of us thought this was a great win. But banning microbeads isn't as straightforward as some might think. Hannah looks closer at the situation and explains why there are concerns with the proposed ban.
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