Press Release: Thousands of microplastics found polluting Lake Ontario during "nurdle hunts"

NEWS RELEASE
Nov 5, 2021

• In October 2021, A Greener Future participated in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt in eight shoreline locations on Lake Ontario

• 47 volunteers supported the project by picking up 9,789 nurdles

• Nurdles are pre-production pellets used to manufacture new plastic goods, which often spill in transport causing microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes

TORONTO, ON: Participating in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt, A Greener Future coordinated eight shoreline cleanups throughout the month of October to gather data on microplastic pollution in Lake Ontario. With the support of 47 local volunteers, a total of 9,789 nurdles were collected from the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Nurdles are pre-production pellets used in manufacturing to produce new plastic items. They often spill during transport and can make their way into local bodies of water, including the Great Lakes, posing a threat to humans and wildlife alike.

A Greener Future’s nurdle hunts aimed to collect data on microplastic pollution in Lake Ontario, while also raising awareness about the issue through volunteer engagement and social media promotion.

The beaches surveyed and corresponding results are listed below:

• Gage Creek, Port Hope: 1,644 nurdles

• West Beach, Port Hope: 208 nurdles

• Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park: 451 nurdles

• Bronte Beach, Oakville: 1,770 nurdles

• Sunset Beach, St. Catharines: 125 nurdles

• Sunnyside Beach, Toronto: 4,299 nurdles

• Bluffer’s Beach, Scarborough: 1,138 nurdles

• Hamilton Beach, Hamilton: 154 nurdles

Though microplastic pollution is pervasive in the Great Lakes, awareness around this issue is low. A Greener Future’s Executive Director, Rochelle Byrne says "Most people I chat with have never heard of a nurdle before. How are we supposed to solve this problem if no one knows about it? The thing I like most about hosting nurdle hunts is that it opens the lines of conversation. All the volunteers who attended an event can continue taking action by sharing their experience with others and raising awareness about microplastic pollution."

To learn more about plastic pollution, local clean-up programs, and ways to support, visit www.agreenerfuture.ca.

ABOUT A GREENER FUTURE

Founded in 2014, A Greener Future is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work within local communities to promote environmental protection through organized litter cleanups, educational programs, and events. A Greener Future is committed to creating a clean, healthy environment for future generations. To learn more about A Greener Future, visit their website www.agreenerfuture.ca  and see A Greener Future on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rochelle Byrne, Executive Director/Founder
705-791-5358 | rochelle@agreenerfuture.ca

Samantha Brewer, PR Assistant
289-788-6454 | samantha@agreenerfuture.ca