Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Zooming in on the Five Types of Microplastics
Plastics make up 80% of litter in the Great Lakes. From plastic water bottles and lids to grocery bags and food packaging, you’ve likely seen some form of plastic floating in Lake Ontario or on the shorelines. Here's a breakdown of the five major type of microplastics.
Microbeads labeled “toxic” as Canada prepares to ban the tiny plastic polluters
The Government of Canada has officially labelled microbeads “toxic” under federal law. This label is the first step in the official process to ban microbeads in Canada. The ban will apply to cleansers and cosmetic products that have been polluting waterways nationwide.
Waterkeeper's comment on proposed federal microbeads regulations, March 2016
The Federal Government is currently developing regulations to eliminate the use of microbeads in personal care products. In February, the government made its proposed regulations available to the public for comment. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Fraser Riverkeeper and North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper submitted joint comments on the proposed regulations. Read them here.
Federal ban on microbeads update: Gov’t invites public to comment
The Federal Government is moving forward with its plan to enact regulations to restrict the use of microbeads in personal care products. Waterkeeper will comment on the proposed regulations, but the government wants to hear from the public too. If you have thoughts you'd like to share on banning microbeads, you have until March 10th, 2016 to submit your thoughts.
2015 Case Review: Where do we stand at the end of the year?
With 2015 drawing to a close, what better time to look back at the events most affecting the lake? We looked at our newsletters, case summaries, and web traffic this year and compiled a list of the issues that caught your attention in 2015. Grab a coffee and enjoy the recap!
Plastic pollution
Plastics are plaguing rivers, lakes, and oceans around the world. And it doesn't appear to be slowing down. This is the first of Waterkeeper's six-part series on protecting waters, originally featured in Canadian Yachting's October 2015 issue.
Fed Gov’t labeling microbeads as “toxic”– A step in the right direction
Recently, the Canadian Government proposed a ban on microbeads in soaps and personal care products. At first, many of us thought this was a great win. But banning microbeads isn't as straightforward as some might think. Hannah looks closer at the situation and explains why there are concerns with the proposed ban.
CASE UPDATE: Federal Gov't Move to Ban Microbeads
Yesterday, the Government of Canada announced its intention to ban plastic microbeads in personal care products. While it's clear this a great first step for the country, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson deciphers if it's enough for Canada's waterways.
We told the Ontario government a microbeads law would help the Great Lakes (and we meant it)
This 5-minute presentation by Krystyn Tully of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper summarizes the reasons the legislation would help to better protect the Great Lakes. It was delivered to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on June 4, 2015.
Conservation groups ask Government of Canada to classify microbeads “toxic” (Press Release)
Environmental Defence, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, and Ottawa Riverkeeper, represented by counsel at Ecojustice, have submitted a formal request to Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, asking the government to place microbeads on the Priority Substances List. The request, if accepted, would prompt a review on a priority basis of whether microbeads should be classified as a toxic substance.