Adopt-a-Beach made a big splash in the media this spring, raising awareness about plastic pollution and solutions. And 20 years’ worth of Adopt-a-Beach volunteers were part of it.
“One of the things I love about Adopt-a-Beach is how long our volunteers’ work lasts,” said Olivia Reda, Volunteer Engagement Manager and author of the new report Adopt-a-Beach: 20 Years of Great Lakes Litter Data.
“On the days of their cleanups, volunteers keep plastic and other trash out of the Great Lakes. People who see the cleanups are often inspired to do cleanups of their own weeks or months later. And the litter data our volunteers collect becomes part of a 20-plus year dataset that’s helping communities find solutions to plastic pollution.”
Here are some of this spring’s Adopt-a-Beach stories from across the region:
- Most garbage left at beaches is plastic waste: report – WBBM, CBS Chicago, 4/11/2024
- Report: Great Lakes beaches, including Presque Isle, suffering from plastic pollution – Erie Times-News, 4/24/24
- Earth Day volunteers help clean up the planet – ABC World News Tonight, 4/21/24
- Plastic pollution widespread across Great Lakes beaches, cleanup group finds – Detroit News, 4/11/24
- What happens to balloons that are released outside? – WCCO News, CBS Minnesota, 4/28/24
- Report: Plastics make up majority of litter in Great Lakes – Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/11/24
- New study: Great Lakes beaches are littered with plastic trash – Bridge Michigan, 4/11/24
- Earth Day Celebration held at Weko Beach – Harbor Country News, 4/24/24
- Great Lakes Beaches Might Look Clean, But They’re Littered With Tiny Plastics, New Report Says – WTTW, PBS Chicago, 4/11/2024
“Thanks again to everyone who volunteers with Adopt-a-Beach,” said Reda. “I am so grateful for each and every action you’ve taken to help protect the Great Lakes!”
A special thanks to this year’s top Adopt-a-Beach sponsors: HSBC, Meijer, and Unilever.