Video: Over 1 billion microplastics in Port Phillip Bay | Clean Bay Blueprint, Year 2

The surface waters of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers carry nearly 1.4 billion items of litter to Port Phillip Bay each year, according to new research from Port Phillip EcoCentre.

Over 1.1 billion items (79%) of this litter load is microplastics (pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in diameter).

Both the Yarra and Maribyrnong litter loads have increased since research began in 2015, but the Yarra pollution has increased faster.

All litter categories in the Yarra are increasing except straws. The number of straws in the Yarra is declining. This may be due to community and business efforts to reduce their use.

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We Call Ourselves the Beachkeepers – Volunteer Week 2022
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The EcoCentre acknowledges the Kulin Nations, including the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung language group, traditional owners of the land on which we are located.

We pay respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Elder members of our multicultural community.