Data summary
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 (2020-2025)
Top other items:
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Food Wrappers
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Bottle Caps
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Straws/Stirrers
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Cigar Tips
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Nicotine Pouches
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Firework Debris
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Personal Care
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Rubber
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Hunting & Fishing Gear
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Utensils
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)!
Data Collection Categories
Our team uses the following categories to collect data on plastic found in the environment.
Large Debris
Small Debris
Initially, we focused on collecting plastic debris using Seabins, devices installed directly in the water. Because much of this debris has already broken down in the environment, the materials captured are typically small, including film, fragments, foam, and pellets.
With the initiative now using technologies that target shorelines and stormwater systems, we are capturing larger and more identifiable debris. This results in a broader range of item types.
