Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes

Researchers have found stunningly high amounts of tiny plastic pieces in all five Great Lakes. They’ve found microscopic plastic pieces in drinking water, fish, and beer – and even in human blood.

Visit our campaign page to see how you can be part of the solution. Learn more about Great Lakes plastic pollution below.

February 10, 2026

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2026

The federal government plays a critical role in protecting the Great Lakes. It’s responsible for funding projects, administering programs, and enforcing environmental safeguards. The Alliance for the Great Lakes advocates […]

Webinar

January 15, 2026

Webinar: Waves of Change: Taking Action to Protect the Great Lakes

Discover how you can play an active role in protecting and preserving the Great Lakes in the new year! We’ll dive into ways to get involved with the Alliance for […]

Blog

January 8, 2026

Making an impact on plastic pollution in Illinois 

Thank you to our Illinois supporters who took action to reduce plastic pollution in 2025! Whether you contacted your legislators, volunteered with Adopt-a-Beach, donated to the Alliance for the Great […]

Blog

December 20, 2025

National Leaders & State Legislators in Chicago to Combat Plastic Pollution

Last month, state legislators from around the country came together in Chicago to strategize state-level solutions to the growing plastic pollution crisis. The summit was organized by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a nonpartisan network of state lawmakers, and supported by the Alliance for the […]

Blog

December 10, 2025

Adopt-a-Beach Volunteers Make Ripples Beyond the Shoreline

Our amazing Adopt-a-Beach volunteers removed 541,750 pieces of litter – more than 23,000 pounds – from Great Lakes beaches, trails, parks, and marinas in 2025! Their work kept more than […]

Webinar

September 30, 2025

Webinar: Reducing Plastic Foodware, Protecting our Great Lakes — Training for Restaurants

Twenty two million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes every year and polystyrene foam is the third most common litter item found on Great Lakes shorelines. Watch this free […]

Blog

July 17, 2025

Plastic Foam Legislation Advances in Illinois

Earlier this year, we asked our Illinois supporters to send a message to their legislators: keep plastic pollution out of the Great Lakes and our drinking water. Our supporters delivered […]

BLOG

June 30, 2025

9 Tips for a Plastic-Free Summer Holiday at the Beach

The Great Lakes are one of the best places to spend the July 4th weekend. And, if you’re like us, plastic pollution at the beach isn’t a part of your […]

Webinar

May 5, 2025

Webinar: Reducing Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes

What can be done to address the growing problem of pollution caused by plastic in Great Lakes water? Watch our conversation with Great Lakes policy experts, researchers, and legislators about […]

Blog

April 4, 2025

Plastic Reduction Bills Could Make Big Impact in Illinois

Illinoisans are sending a clear message to their representatives: keep plastic out of the Great Lakes and our drinking water. This year, they’ve sent over 1,200 messages (and counting!) to […]