Synthetic Collective

Sorting Plastic Fragments

In the conclusion to their research paper, the Synthetic Collective lays out the potential next steps for their work, writing: “The present basin-wide investigation of plastic pellets represents the largest simultaneous sampling campaign for pellets in the world.” (11) In the final paragraph, they call on plastics manufacturers to make use of their research, in an effort to build accountability around the sources of the Great Lakes pellets:

“Finally, the identification of shape, size, diagnostic trait, and color provided in Table S2 could prove very useful for pellet manufacturers and processers who wish to determine whether their products are contributing to pellet pollution in the Great Lakes watershed.” (11) Synthetic Collective, “A comprehensive investigation of industrial plastic pellets on beaches across the Laurentian Great Lakes and the factors governing their distribution,” Science of the Total Environment, 747 (2020).