EPA Gulf of Mexico Grant
Preventing More, Picking Up Less
Reducing plastic pollution through community engagement and empowerment, demonstration sites and analysis
Our Program
Our mission is to prevent trash from getting into our waterways and remove trash that is already in the environment. We refer to the garbage polluting rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks as “aquatic trash”. If it is not properly disposed of or securely contained, garbage can easily become aquatic trash. In fact, the majority of trash found in our waterways and oceans originates on land.
We improve the health of our nation’s waterways and communities by fostering effective partnerships, providing informational resources, and facilitating shared learning. To prevent and remove aquatic trash, we work with our partners in support of community and place-based projects that address the major resources of aquatic trash, which include international litter and escaped trash.
Our Goals
Directly in line with our stated mission, our program goals are:
Prevention - Reduce waste generation at the source and change behaviors that cause thrash to get into the environment and our waterways.
Removal - Remove trash from U.S. waterways by supporting trash capture solutions and other remediation efforts.
Research - Improve understanding of the sources, causes, pathways, and impacts of aquatic trash (including microplastics) to aid in the development of effective solutions that reduce trash pollution and minimize its associated environmental and public health risks.