Microplastic Research
Plastic litter and microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to the health of our waterways and the species that inhabit them. It is estimated that 22 million pounds, or 779 dump truck loads, of plastic pollution enters the Great Lakes every year through different sources and pathways like public litter, polluting Milwaukee’s natural spaces, rivers, and drinking water.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is part of an ongoing research project in partnership with CGLR to collect and catalogue microplastics on Lake Michigan beaches and rivers. Our team deploys cutting-edge robots targeting the removal of harmful microplastics. Once removed, volunteers characterize the waste by size, weight and type in order to better understand the source of the pollution.
Let’s Dive in a Little Deeper
What Robotic Technology is Used?
Milwaukee Riverkeeper uses the Searial Cleaners Bebot and Pixie Drone robotic cleanup technology.
The BeBot is an eco-friendly beach cleaning robot that mechanically sifts sand, rakes seaweed, and levels sandy areas to remove plastic waste and other debris without harming the local environment.
The PixieDrone is a floating, remote-control, mobile waste collector that is equipped with a video camera and LIDAR technology to avoid obstacles when collecting floating waste.
How Can I Get Involved?
Sign up to receive notifications of upcoming volunteer opportunities to help assist us with robot-assisted cleanups, and join the Plastic Free MKE coalition to join the movement to reduce single use plastic use in the Milwaukee River Basin.
