Photo provided by the Rozalia Project.

Marine Debris

Marine debris is any human-made material that ends up in our waterways, polluting the environment. Despite its name, marine debris is not restricted to oceans. It is also found in fresh waterbodies like Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the rivers and streams that flow into them. Marine debris comes in all shapes and sizes–from sunken boats to microplastics, which are plastic pieces smaller than a pencil eraser. Regardless of size, marine debris can impact the environment, human health, and the economy.  

The Lake Champlain Marine Debris Coalition was formed in 2024, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The coalition is led by six organizations: Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Lake Champlain Committee, Rozalia Project, Conservation Law Foundation, Vermont Boat and Marine Association, and Lake George Association. For more information on the Marine Debris Coalition, you can visit their website or email lcbmdc@ uvm.edu.  

Foam

Plastic foam is one of the several types of marine debris found in the Lake Champlain Basin. Plastic foam does not degrade naturally. Once in the environment, it’s here to stay. Plastic foam from dock floats, food service containers, and packaging makes up a large percentage of marine debris in the Lake Champlain Basin. Since 2012, tens of thousands of foam pieces were collected along Lake Champlain.  

Made of tiny air pockets, plastic foam is light, breaks apart easily, and spreads quickly across the water and shorelines. Plastic foam is harmful to fish and other animals that eat pieces of it, exposing them to the toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of foam. Both New York and Vermont have adopted policies aimed at keeping foam out of the water, but continued efforts are needed to understand the problem so that education can be targeted to minimize future water pollution. 

Broken up pieces of foam floating in the water. Photo provided by Lake Champlain Lake Keeper Julie Silverman from Conservation Law Foundation.

Plastics

Plastic pollution is an increasing concern for freshwater ecosystems. Larger plastic items such as bottles, packaging, and fishing gear can break apart over time, persist in the environment, and harm wildlife through entanglement and ingestion. Plastics can also transport invasive species and concentrate pollutants as they move through waterways. 

Photo by the Rozalia Project.

Microplastics

As larger plastics degrade, they form microplastics, very small particles of floating plastic that are difficult to see and challenging to remove once they enter the environment. Aquatic organisms may mistake microplastics for food, causing them to move through the food web, along with the chemicals they carry.  

Microplastics also impact humans, entering our bodies when we ingest them in food and drinking water. Over 200,000 people rely on Lake Champlain for their drinking water, and most wastewater treatment facilities do not have the infrastructure to remove microplastics.

Photo by Susan Campbell from the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Microbeads

Another water quality challenge is microbeads, tiny plastic particles used as scrubbing agents in some soaps, toothpastes, facial scrubs, body washes, and other personal care products. Microbeads resemble food to fish and can be eaten, but these plastics absorb toxins such as PAHs and PCBs and thus pose a danger to the food chain.

Microbeads cannot be removed from our waters once they are released. We must keep them from getting to the water in the first place. To keep microbeads out of the environment avoid personal care products with “polyethylene” or “polypropylene” in the ingredients. 

What You Can Do

  • Reduce single-use plastics by choosing reusable bottles, bags, and food containers
  • Properly dispose of plastic waste and recycle according to local guidelines
  • Avoid personal care products that contain plastic ingredients such as polyethylene or polypropylene
  • Wash synthetic clothing less often and consider using laundry filters or bags that capture microfibers
  • Prevent plastic debris from reaching waterways by securing trash and recycling bins, especially near shorelines and storm drains
  • Participate in shoreline cleanups to remove plastic before it breaks down into smaller pieces – the Marine Debris Coalition and LCC host clean ups events around the basin. You can find more information about upcoming events here! 
  • Avoid using unencapsulated foam (like noodles or play mats) when interacting with the water
  • Remove unencapsulated docks and replace them with air filled or encapsulated alternatives.
  • Support policies and programs that reduce plastic pollution and promote responsible product design