Protecting The Great Lakes: Preventing Water Pollution

The Great Lakes are facing a plastic pollution crisis. While beach cleanups are helpful, they are not enough to solve the problem. The Alliance for the Great Lakes is working with partners to support legislation that addresses plastic pollution, and there have been some recent wins in Illinois that will address plastic production and reduction, improve reuse systems, and provide better data to assist future policymaking. In addition, agricultural pollution is a major issue, especially in western Lake Erie, where pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus enter the water through agricultural field runoff. To prevent these pollutants from reaching the water, measures such as vegetative buffer strips planted alongside farmland and waterways can be effective.

Reducing plastic pollution

While beach cleanups are a great way to keep plastic out of the Great Lakes, they are not enough to solve the magnitude of the problem. A more systemic solution is needed. Recycling, for example, puts the responsibility on the last person who uses the plastic, and only a fraction of plastic produced each year can be recycled. This leaves the disposal burden on individuals, small business owners, and local governments.

To reduce plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, we need to address plastic production and reduction, improve reuse systems, and provide better data to assist future policymaking. Solutions like increasing access to water refill stations are a win-win for residents and the Great Lakes – making it easier for people to reuse their own water bottles while decreasing our dependence on single-use plastic.

Another way to reduce plastic pollution is to support legislation that attacks the problem on multiple fronts. For example, in Illinois, there has been a recent set of wins that will address plastic production and reduction, improve reuse systems, and provide better data to assist future policymaking. Additionally, the Alliance for the Great Lakes and tens of thousands of advocates across the region led the fight for legislation to phase out microbeads in personal care products.

The Federal Government also has a role to play in preventing plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Under the Clean Waters Act, funds can be appropriated and authorized to regulate pollution of lakes caused by Federal facilities. For example, Nixon suggested mobilizing every government level to prevent pollution in Lake Michigan, which is the largest body of fresh water in the United States.

Finally, while agriculture is the largest contributor to pollution in western Lake Erie, there are simple and cost-effective measures to help prevent these pollutants from reaching our waters. Vegetative buffer strips can be planted alongside the borders of farmland and waterways, and other living cover can be used on agricultural land to prevent pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus from entering our water.

Improving recycling systems

Firstly, we need to increase recycling rates by encouraging more people to recycle. This can be done through education and awareness campaigns that teach people about the importance of recycling and how to recycle properly. We can also provide incentives for people to recycle, such as rewards or discounts. Additionally, we can work with businesses to encourage them to reduce their plastic waste and increase their recycling efforts.

Secondly, we need to improve the recycling process itself. This includes investing in better recycling infrastructure and technology, such as more efficient sorting and processing facilities. We can also work on developing new recycling methods for types of plastic that are currently difficult to recycle. Another important aspect is ensuring that recycled materials are actually used in new products, rather than simply being downcycled or discarded.

Furthermore, we can focus on reducing plastic waste at the source. This means encouraging people to use less plastic and promoting reusable alternatives, such as water refill stations and reusable water bottles. By reducing the amount of plastic being produced and used, we can decrease our dependence on single-use plastic and reduce the burden on recycling systems, ultimately decreasing the amount of plastic pollution ending up in the Great Lakes.

Finally, it is important to address the issue of agricultural pollution, which is a significant contributor to water pollution in the Great Lakes. One effective measure is to implement vegetative buffer strips alongside the borders of farmland and waterways. This helps to prevent pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus from entering our water sources and causing contamination. By combining improved recycling systems with other pollution prevention strategies, we can make significant progress in protecting the Great Lakes from water pollution.

Reducing single-use plastic

One of the most effective ways to prevent water pollution in the Great Lakes is to reduce the use of single-use plastic. Single-use plastic is a major contributor to plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, as it is often not recycled properly and ends up in landfills or as litter in waterways.

To reduce single-use plastic consumption, individuals can be encouraged to use reusable water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones. This can be facilitated by increasing access to water refill stations, making it more convenient for people to refill their own bottles. This not only reduces plastic waste but also provides a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to buying bottled water.

Another way to reduce single-use plastic pollution is to support legislation that targets plastic production and promotes reuse systems. For example, the recent success in Illinois, where legislation was passed to address plastic production and reduction, improve reuse systems, and enhance data collection for future policymaking, is a step in the right direction.

Additionally, phasing out microbeads in personal care products is crucial. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles commonly found in exfoliating scrubs, toothpastes, and other cosmetic products. Due to their small size, they easily pass through water treatment systems and end up in lakes and other water bodies, contributing to plastic pollution. By advocating for and supporting legislation that bans the use of microbeads in personal care products, we can significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic entering the Great Lakes.

Finally, it is important to address the root causes of plastic pollution and shift the responsibility from end-users to those who produce and profit from plastic products. While recycling is important, it is not a comprehensive solution, as only a fraction of plastic produced each year can be recycled. Therefore, we must also focus on reducing plastic production and promoting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic. By working together and advocating for systemic change, we can make a significant impact in reducing single-use plastic pollution and protecting the Great Lakes for future generations.

Preventing agricultural pollution

Agriculture is the largest contributor to pollution in western Lake Erie. In 2014, nearly half a million people lost access to safe tap water for two days, and in some cases more than a week, because toxic algae contaminated water sources.

Pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus enter our water in various ways, especially from agricultural field runoff. Vegetative buffer strips planted alongside the borders of farmland and waterways, as well as other living cover on agricultural land, are a simple and cost-effective measure to help prevent these pollutants from ever reaching our waters.

Another way to prevent agricultural pollution is to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Solutions like increasing access to water refill stations are a win-win for residents and the Great Lakes – making it easier for people to reuse their own water bottles while decreasing our dependence on single-use plastic.

Recycling is another way to prevent plastic pollution, but it puts the responsibility on the last person who uses the plastic. Only a fraction of plastic produced each year can be recycled, leaving the remainder to end up in landfills or as litter that lands in our waterways.

Reducing pollutants from industrial corporate farming

Industrial corporate farming is a major contributor to water pollution in the Great Lakes. To reduce pollutants from this source, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, the adoption of vegetative buffer strips alongside the borders of farmland and waterways can act as a natural filter, trapping pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus before they enter the water. This is a simple and cost-effective solution. Additionally, promoting the use of living cover on agricultural land, such as cover crops, can help prevent soil erosion and reduce the amount of agricultural runoff entering water bodies.

Another way to reduce pollutants from industrial corporate farming is to encourage sustainable farming practices. This includes implementing integrated pest management strategies, which can reduce the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers. By adopting more eco-friendly practices, farmers can minimise the impact of their operations on the environment and help protect the Great Lakes from pollution.

Furthermore, it is essential to address the issue of plastic pollution, which is a significant concern for the Great Lakes. While beach clean-ups are commendable efforts, a more systemic approach is necessary. This involves advocating for legislation that targets plastic production and promotes plastic reduction and reuse. Supporting initiatives that increase access to water refill stations, for example, can reduce the reliance on single-use plastic bottles. Additionally, phasing out microbeads in personal care products can help prevent the release of tiny plastic particles into the water.

To effectively tackle water pollution in the Great Lakes, collaboration between various stakeholders is crucial. This includes the involvement of state and federal government representatives, environmental organisations, and local communities. By working together, we can develop and implement comprehensive solutions that address the specific pollution challenges faced by each lake in the Great Lakes region.

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