THE (DATA) STORY SO FAR
Analyses of the litter collected in the capture and cleanup devices installed at our network of participant sites across the Great Lakes!
What we've captured to-date (2020-2023)
The data shown is based on what is reported from participating sites. We anticipate that there is more being collected by the plastic capture devices
(e.g., on days where data is not collected or reported)!
Our waste characterization team sorts debris into these categories:
Small Hard Fragments
Small Foam Pieces
Other Debris (Small)
Large Hard Fragments
Other Debris (Large)
Small Film Pieces
Small Pellets
Cigarette Butts
Large Film Pieces
Large Foam Pieces
Each plastic capture technology targets different types of plastic and collects a slightly different quantity of debris each day, depending on a wide range of factors including: the location of the site, weather conditions, and more!
Here's the data broken down by year and what the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup has collected across our participating sites:
Interested in more data?
Check out the breakdown:
