Microplastic Pollution: The Big Problem with Tiny Plastic, Everyday Environment

Plastic is the most common debris found in oceans and lakes. #Microplastics are smaller than a grain of rice, and scientists don’t fully understand their impact on aquatic ecosystems, especially in the Great Lakes. Researchers are exploring the scope of the problem, as well as what potential impacts microplastics might have on human and environmental health.

Explore where microplastics come from, what we know about the consequences of microplastic pollution, and steps anyone can take to help solve this complex plastic problem.

Presenter: Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Extension specialist

This webinar was originally recorded on June 13, 2024.

Time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Contaminants of emerging concern
2:55 What's in your trash?
4:35 Where does our garbage go?
5:41 Plastics and our way of life
9:07 Garbage in our water
10:16 Microplastics
14:13 Timeline of microplastics in marine environments
19:22 Research gaps
20:50 Impacts of microplastics on marine environments
28:43 Impacts of microplastics on human health
33:21 Plastic solutions
40:55 What can you do?
49:05 Questions

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[meridithbergesen]

Thank you Sarah for an informative class.

[donnatheimer]

Wonderful presentation with excellent fact-based science!! Very disheartening and disturbing to know that this is absolutely everywhere. Personally, I really wish there was a standard plastic that could be used for most items and would help in determining what can and can't be recycled. Very frustrating when you try to recycle, but so many types of plastics are not taken by our local waste management. Plus, do they really recycle our waste? I would be happy to sort my items like they do in Europe. I would be happy to haul my stuff to a sorting site if they really recycled the items. I know I am not alone in wanting to help. Just wish it was more streamlined.

[emmyhusfloen]

Thank You Sarah Zack for this research! This is so sad.. I wish we would've never introduced plastic!
I try my best to not use single use plastics, but it seems like the grocery industry is always packaging food in pint size packages, when I would love to pick produce out of mass quantities.
I grow some of those veggies and fruits now that it is nice weather.. Will hopefully show others, they too can create change, even in the smallest amounts.