Mastodawn

#PlasticPatrol: the #CitizenScientists tackling #litter in #Australian #waterways

#Plastics make up the majority of litter across the country. In the absence of regulation, the public are taking matters into their own hands

by James Norman, Fri 30 Jan 2026

"Neil Blake weighs a paper bag of fake grass fragments he has collected from a stormwater gutter near #DarebinCreek in #Melbourne’s north.

"Over the past three years Blake has conducted 56 collections of synthetic turf in the waterway alongside the KP Hardiman Reserve hockey pitch.

" 'I noticed that a local hockey pitch was being replaced and the plastic surface was running off into the local environment,' he says. Strong northerly winds and #LeafBlowers had helped shed the turf fragments into the local #environment.

"In addition to impacts on #AquaticEcosystems, scientific analysis suggests #PlasticPollution is exacerbating #ClimateChange, #biodiversity loss and #OceanAcidification.

"Australians produce more than 3m tonnes of plastic waste each year, and according to Clean Up’s annual survey of parks, beaches, creeks and other public spaces, plastics make up more than 80% of litter across the country. A review by the New South Wales chief scientist found that one #SyntheticTurf field could transport between 10kg and 100kg of plastic fragments into the #stormwater system or local waterways.

"Blake has taken advantage of the electronic scales provided by the newly opened community science laboratory in the Port Phillip #EcoCentre in #StKilda, to quantify his samples to present to the local council and the Environment Protection Authority. The lab hosts facilities including microscopes, measuring equipment, safety gear and access to advice from trained scientists.

"It’s one example of citizen scientists tackling the growing problem of plastics in #waterways, including #beaches, #rivers and dive sites around the country."

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/okVtk

#SolarPunkSunday #LitterCleanup #NewSouthWales #Australia #PlasticTurf #PlasticPollution #CitizenScience #WaterIsLife #Astroturf #PlasticPollution #Microplastics

Plastic patrol: the citizen scientists tackling litter in Australian waterways

Plastics make up the majority of litter across the country. In the absence of regulation, the public are taking matters into their own hands

The Guardian

Primo Natura 4h ago

"Mushroom slime removes up to 98.4% of microplastics from water, researchers report"

#Mushrooms #Plastics #Microplastics #Environment

https://phys.org/news/2026-04-mushroom-slime-microplastics.html

Mushroom slime removes up to 98.4% of microplastics from water, researchers report

Microplastics and nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic products due to sunlight, waves, and other environmental conditions. In recent years, these particles have been increasingly detected in aquatic environments, raising concerns about their potential harmful effects on aquatic life and ecosystems. Even though awareness of this issue is growing, there is still no safe, practical, and established method to filter these particles from polluted water.

Phys.org

Primo Natura 13h ago

"How microplastics hurt the hidden helpers that keep our coasts healthy"

#Plastic #Plastics #Microplastics #Environment

https://theconversation.com/how-microplastics-hurt-the-hidden-helpers-that-keep-our-coasts-healthy-280266

How microplastics hurt the hidden helpers that keep our coasts healthy

Tiny seafloor creatures play a vital role in coastal ecosystems. New research suggests microplastics may now be interfering with that balance.

The Conversation

Dragofix 21h ago

Common cleaning sponge found to release trillions of microplastic fibers https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260417085404.htm

#environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

Common cleaning sponge found to release trillions of microplastic fibers

That “magic” sponge under your sink may be hiding an environmental downside. While melamine sponges are famous for effortlessly scrubbing away stubborn stains, they slowly break down as you use them—shedding tiny plastic fibers that wash into water systems. Researchers estimate that globally, these sponges could release over a trillion microplastic fibers every month, potentially entering the food chain and affecting wildlife.

ScienceDaily

Karmactive 1d ago

Is your toothbrush or wall paint shedding plastic into your body? 🪥🎨

New 2026 data shows microplastics are in our blood, brains, and even IV drips. 🏥🧠

Find out where they hide and how to stop them. 🛡️

Follow @karmactivealive for more updates!

#Microplastics #HealthSafety #EcoLiving

Microplastics in Blood and Brain: EPA Watchlist, 50% Surge, and $144M Federal Response - Karmactive

Microplastics confirmed in blood, brain, and organs. Cardiovascular risk jumps fourfold. EPA adds to drinking water watchlist. New $144M federal research program. Why doctors warn action is urgent now.

Karmactive

Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐2d ago

It's been a couple/few months since I switched from 3M Scotch-Brite scrubby sponges to Kamenoko tawashi natural scrubbers and generic store brand cellulose sponges, in an attempt to limit the amount of non-biodegradable #microplastics I release into the environment, and it's been a perfect success.

I recently bought two bars of soap, because they have less waste than bottled liquid soap, but I need to find good soap dishes, one for the kitchen sink, one for the bathroom sink. #domesticlife

Show thread

Regendans 3d ago

@vicfroh #ALT4you Social media post by greenpeaceuk, 4 days ago :

Refugees never pumped our rivers full of sewage.

Refugees never fracked our countryside.

Refugees never put microplastics into our food chain.
Refugees never sacrificed our future for Big Oil profits.

The fossil fuelled 1% did though. Don't forget.

#refugees #climatecrisis #fracking #microplastics #fossilfuels #profits #capitalism #colonization #exploitation #racism

Show thread

Ellie 4d ago

@antimnguyen poop was better when it was organic though

#microplastics

Science News 5d ago

A #DITF study shows that the high separation efficiency and long service life of the #filter medium make textile-based filter cascades a promising solution for reducing #microplastics from textiles in the wash and rinse water of industrial laundries.
https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2026/04/14/textile-cascade-filter-for-removing-microplastics-from-wastewater

Textile cascade filter for removing microplastics from wastewater

Hacker News Apr 11

How to breathe in fewer microplastics in your home

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260410-how-to-breathe-in-fewer-microplastics-in-your-home

#HackerNews #breathe #healthier #microplastics #home #environment #sustainability

The air throughout our homes is infused with microplastics. But there are things you can do to breathe less of them

Clouds of microplastics concentrate in the air of our homes, and we could be breathing in millions of them each year. A few changes can help us reduce exposure.

BBC