Albany Beach 2012-2015

Plastic pollution can be divided into two categories, large and small. The small stuff is termed “Microplastics” and includes anything less than 5 mm across.

Working with “Static Charge Filtration” (SCF) screens developed by Marc Ward of Sea Turtles Forever (STF), COI worked with a team from Albany High Schools Ocean Protection League over the course of multiple years to conduct documentation surveys and remove toxic micro debris from their home beach.

Some areas of the beach have concentrations of plastic debris up to 986 grams of plastic in one meter square by 10 cm (three inches) deep. This includes syringes with needles still attached and 5% pre-production plastic pellets (nurdles), with most of this waste covered in a toxic film of petroleum products from the sea’s surface.

In 2016, we will be back in an effort to return the beach to a clean place to play.

Project Summary

Project Name: Albany Beach Micro Debris Removal

Focus: Micro debris awareness and removal

Number of Volunteers: 18

GROUPS INVOLVED

COI

Albany High School Ocean Protection League

CHALLENGE

Safely remove microplastics and toxic waste from an urban beach

SOLUTION

Custom build debris sifting screens and teach safety first techniques

RESULTS

Raise awareness of issue to East Bay Regional Parks (Agency in Charge)