How are citizen scientists helping with plastic pollution in Melbourne?

Citizen scientists in Melbourne are collecting and quantifying synthetic turf fragments from waterways, providing valuable data to local councils and environmental authorities.

What is being found on remote Australian beaches during clean-ups?

Remote Australian beaches are found to be heavily impacted by plastic pollution, including ghost nets, medical waste, and single-use plastics, posing a threat to wildlife and ecosystems.

What is the Australian Microplastics Assessment Project (Ausmap)?

Ausmap is a national project engaging over 10,000 people in citizen science, collecting more than 1,200 samples to identify over 60 nationwide plastic pollution hotspots.

Home / Environment / Citizen Scientists Fight Plastic Tide in Aussie Waterways

Citizen Scientists Fight Plastic Tide in Aussie Waterways

30 Jan

•

Summary

Citizen scientists collect plastic turf fragments from Melbourne waterways.
Beach clean-ups reveal severe plastic pollution, including ghost nets.
Over 10,000 people engage in Australia's largest microplastic assessment project.

Citizen Scientists Fight Plastic Tide in Aussie Waterways

Citizen scientists across Australia are stepping up to address the escalating problem of plastic pollution. In Melbourne, individuals are collecting synthetic turf fragments from local waterways, quantifying the waste to inform local councils and environmental authorities. This initiative, supported by community science labs, turns personal observation into tangible evidence.

Further north, remote beaches in Arnhem Land are sites of critical clean-up operations. Collaborating with Indigenous rangers, campaigns are removing extensive plastic waste, including harmful ghost nets, from culturally significant turtle nesting areas. This direct action provides vital data for national research projects on marine debris.