Over 100,000 pieces of plastic and debris have been collected from Lake Ontario [Video]

Thanks to a massive initiative over 100,000 pieces of plastic were removed from Lake Ontario last year.

Throughout 2024, more than 600 kg of anthropogenic (man-made) debris was removed from the Toronto Harbor via a partnership between PortsToronto and the University of Toronto (U of T) Trash Team.

The most common forms of pollution found included plastic pellets, foam from industrial containers, plastic bottle caps, cigarette butts, and more than 100,000 indistinguishable small pieces of plastic.

According to a report from PortsToronto, key methodologies used to facilitate this massive garbage run included modern aquatic applications, including WasteSharks (high tech floating garbage traps), Seabins (sunken filters for garbage collection), and manual skimming.

“In 2025, we’re furthering this mission with the addition of new devices to our fleet, joining our Seabins and WasteShark aquadrones in tackling floating debris and plastic pollution in the harbour. Together, we’re making a lasting impact on the …