Freshwater Toolkit

Plastics

The problem of plastics, prolific in our waterways. When most of us think about plastic straws, we think of oceans, along with the microplastics and floating islands of garbage out to sea.

The reality of it is, here in the Great Lakes, we also face a massive problem. It just doesn’t get as much funding or attention. Granted, it is in a smaller area, but the magnitude is large. With nearly 20% of the earth’s freshwater, and only 0.3% accessible in lakes, streams, and swamps, this should surely put plastics and freshwater on the map.

Here along the shoreline of Lake Superior Provincial Park, several hours into a hike, surprised at the number of microplastics and pieces of plastic litter in this pristine wilderness area. Floating plastic bottles in Lake Huron and washed up on her many islands. Garbage blown from land to water, into the St. Mary’s River, and into her flow and onto the shore, to be found by people or harming wildlife and the integrity of the water.

In thinking about water memories, is it plastic garbage that you think of? It shouldn’t be today or for generations to come.

Take Action

Clean North

There Is Something Each of Us Can Do

1. Pack a litter-free lunch for a week. Challenge your teacher, parents and friends to do the same. Maybe your class can take on your school, or even another.
2. Say no thanks to a plastic bag, straw or that plastic water bottle. Pack your own instead. Forgot that bag? It happens. Ask for a box or perhaps just carry it out. These days, there’s a huge selection of reusable food containers, cups, bottles, cutlery and straws.
3. If you’ve got plastic, be sure it gets recycled in the right way - at home, work and at school. What’s happening there? Are there opportunities for awareness and change?

Learn How to
Transform Your
Shopping Habits

Buy local, buy secondhand, buy quality, and more.

This Clean North article offers an overview for navigating sustainable shopping, and strategies for planning your errands, and quick wins you can implement right now to reduce your plastic use.

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Top Tips for
Curbside Recycling

Use this guide to sort facts from myths about accepted materials in local recycling services, and read about how to lower your impact by avoiding plastic all together.

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Donation and
Alternative Recycling

Learn about alternative options for donation/recycling in Sault Ste. Marie.

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And yes, those iconic Clean North rain barrels, they’re awesome!