Three Actions You Can Take Against Plastic Pollution in Georgian Bay
Support Microplastic Monitoring
Microplastics threaten the Great Lakes, including Georgian Bay, by harming the health of ecosystems and wildlife, with growing evidence of effects on human health. For example, a paper published by Nature Medicine in 2024 found that microplastic levels in brain tissues increased by approximately 50% between 2016 and 2024. Notably, individuals diagnosed with dementia had up to ten times more microplastics in their brains compared to those without the condition.
To effectively combat this pollution, the Great Lakes require standardized monitoring and assessment methods applied by authorities on both sides of the border, replacing ad hoc and differing sampling locations and techniques. A comprehensive action plan has been proposed by the International Joint Commission Great Lakes Science to provide data that will be effective at identifying and prioritizing areas and sources of greatest concern of this water pollutant and proposing microplastics be designated as a chemical of mutual concern. But a plan isn’t action.
What You Can Do:
Join our Water Committee to advocate for monitoring microplastic pollution and help implement the mitigation plan. Email gba@georgianbay.ca to get involved!
Report Plastic Pollution with the “Save The Waves” App
How It Works:
- Take a photo of plastic pollution or other environmental threats.
- Geotag the location.
- Submit it. Georgian Bay Forever will act or notify the proper authorities if it is within Georgian Bay.
Download the App:
Watch the tutorial and check out our promotional flyer and boundary map.
FAQ:
- Is this app only for oceans? No! It works globally, including in Georgian Bay. Reports help coordinate cleanups and responses.
- What can I report? Coastal erosion, water quality issues, plastic waste, and general pollution.
Install a Washing Machine Filter
Microfibres are the most commonly found pollutant within microplastics, and a considerable source of microfibre pollution comes from the fibres shed off clothing in the washing machine. Washing machine filters can capture up to 89% of these fibres before they go down the drain, significantly reducing what ultimately gets into our waterways.
What You Can Do: Get a washing machine filter! Contact Georgian Bay Forever’s Nicolaas Love at nic.love@gbf.org or purchase one at Georgian Bay Forever.