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.

BLOG

June 21, 2022

5 Ways Plastic Pollution is Different in the Great Lakes

What comes to mind when you hear the words “plastic pollution”? Maybe the phrase conjures up images of the infamous trash island plaguing the north Pacific. Maybe you think of […]

BLOG

June 21, 2022

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

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

Podcast

May 31, 2022

Dr. Sherri Mason – Plastic Pollution

Dr. Sherri Mason, is a leading expert on plastic pollution. Her award-winning work has drawn international attention to the threat of microplastics in our waters and led to the passage […]

Blog

May 16, 2022

Adopt-a-Beach 2022: Off to a Strong Start

Spring may have only just decided to arrive, but Adopt-a-Beach volunteers are already turning out in force. Nearly 1,000 volunteers have collected over 5,000 pounds of litter. And the numbers […]

Blog

April 22, 2022

Learning Outside the Classroom: Volunteer Spotlight

Our Adopt-a-Beach program has grown tremendously over the past 30 years. That’s due to community members of all ages coming together to keep our beaches and shorelines clean. As we […]

Podcast

April 13, 2022

Juliann Krupa Spring Kick Off

Juliann Krupa is the Volunteer Engagement Manager at the Alliance for the Great Lakes. In this role, Juliann utilizes her passion for aquatic science and conservation to oversee over 15,000 Adopt-a-Beach […]

Blog

November 16, 2021

Over 200,000 Volunteers and 8,282,807 Pieces of Litter

2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Adopt-a-Beach program. This year alone, volunteers hosted beach cleanups on all 5 Great Lakes and in all 8 […]

BLOG

September 23, 2021

30th Anniversary of September Adopt-a-Beach a Success! 

It’s hard to believe that 30 years ago in September, volunteers joined our first Adopt-a-Beach events on Lake Michigan. Today the program reaches across all 5 lakes and all 8 Great […]

Blog

November 19, 2020

Pandemic Can’t Stop Volunteers from Connecting, Cleaning Up

The pandemic slowed but couldn’t stop Great Lakers from volunteering this year. While taking precautions, volunteers throughout the Great Lakes region cleaned beaches and neighborhoods and helped spread the word […]

50th Anniversary

October 4, 2020

Toxic Contamination Past and Present: Creating a Legacy

We’re making progress on cleaning up the toxic legacy of the past, when the Great Lakes fueled the industrial heartland. But new threats are emerging, calling for new solutions. For […]