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.

Press Release

January 4, 2018

Illinois Environmental Leaders Resolve To Reduce Great Lakes Plastic Pollution In 2018

Joint Press Release from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Illinois Environmental Council, and Shedd Aquarium CHICAGO (January 4, 2018) – Local elected officials, alongside leaders from Shedd Aquarium, Alliance for […]

CELEBRATING YOUR SUCCESS

December 6, 2017

Keeping Plastic Pollution Out of the Great Lakes

Adopt-a-Beach volunteers (or Great Lakes superheroes, as we like to call them) clean beaches on all 5 Great Lakes and in all 8 Great Lakes states. And across that huge […]

BLOG

April 22, 2017

Microplastics = Major Problem

By: Nate Drag, Alliance for the Great Lakes Water Project Manager Every year since joining the Alliance, I have made an extra trip to my hometown in western New York on […]

BLOG

February 15, 2017

Plastic Pollution: A Great Lakes Priority

The Alliance developed its 2017 Great Lakes Action Agenda to outline our federal priorities for lawmakers, which includes keeping a careful eye on plastic pollution. Researchers are finding alarming amounts […]

Blog

May 26, 2016

Bead-ban campaign brings victory

The tiny plastic microbead — colorful exfoliant in many soaps, toothpastes and facial washes — was no match against our supporters’ fervor to cleanse them from Great Lakes waters. After […]

Press Release

December 28, 2015

Alliance statement on signing of Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 by President Obama

(Chicago, IL) December 28, 2015 – Statement by Molly Flanagan, Alliance for the Great Lakes vice president for policy, on the signing of the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 by […]

Press Release

November 18, 2015

Alliance statement on passage of Microbead-Free Waters Act by U.S. Senate

(Dec. 18, 2015) – The Alliance for the Great Lakes applauds the U.S. Senate’s vote today to adopt the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 and encourages President Obama to sign […]

Testimony

May 1, 2015

Alliance testimony before Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health: Microbeads in cosmetic products

(May 1, 2015) – Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Green, thank you for inviting me to appear before this subcommittee to address the threat posed to the Great Lakes by […]