Bad News in New Microplastics Report

Environment Illinois’ findings reinforce what Friends of the Chicago River and researchers such as our partner, Dr. Timothy Hoellein, Loyola University Chicago, have been documenting for years: microplastic pollution is now a nearly invisible constant throughout our waterways. Their new report, Microplastics in Illinois, found microplastics everywhere from Skokie Lagoons and Goose Island to Bubbly Creek and the Calumet River, highlighting just how pervasive this problem has become across the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system, and throughout Illinois.

From food packaging and plastic bags to the growing presence of microplastics, litter in our waterways is breaking down and accumulating throughout the food web in alarming ways. Dr. Hoellein’s research found that more than 93% of fish in local rivers contain microplastics. That means if you’re a fish in the Chicago-Calumet River system, there’s a nine in 10 chance you already have plastic in your body, demonstrating the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution at its source.

Dr. Hoellein's research with Friends at our Trash Trap on the Main Stem and elsewhere finds that 80% of the garbage in the river is plastic and 80%  of that is food related such as food foam and similar single use items.

This report further validates the urgency of Friends’ Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative and highlights why strong waste stream reduction policies, public education, and collective action are critical to protecting the health of our rivers, wildlife, and communities.