Trash-Free Waters Webinars

The goal of the Trash-Free Waters Webinar Series is to promote increased knowledge and understanding of existing TFW place-based efforts, innovative solutions to addressing marine litter, and the sources, distribution and impacts of plastics and microplastics in the environment. The featured presenters are experienced stakeholders and researchers in this field.

When available, upcoming webinars will appear directly below so please check back often.

Past Webinar Recordings

Exploring the Escaped Trash Risk Map

Speakers:

  • Romell Nandi, National Program Lead, EPA Trash Free Waters
  • Jenna Jambeck, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Georgia
  • Kathryn Youngblood, University of Georgia
  • Kara Lavender Law, Ph.D., Research Professor of Oceanography, Sea Education Association

December 10, 2024

In October, EPA’s Trash Free Waters program unveiled the new Escaped Trash Risk Map. The map displays estimated escaped trash density in the United States at the 1km2 scale and shows where trash is at high risk of getting into waterways. The most common item types and the percentage breakdown of escaped trash materials are also available at the major river basin scale. In addition, microplastics data is displayed for select waterbodies. This webinar walks through the genesis of the map, how it was developed, how it can be used and how we plan to update it going forward.

Microfibers are a Macro Issue: Interagency Report on Microfiber Pollution

Speakers:

  • Carlie Herring, NOAA Marine Debris Program
  • Nizanna Bathersfield, EPA Trash Free Waters Program
  • Krystle Moody Wood, Materevolve

October 17, 2024

Microfiber pollution is an emerging issue of environmental concern due to the growing body of research uncovering the pervasiveness and potential ecological and human health impacts of microfibers in the environment. In July 2024, the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee released the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee Report on Microfiber Pollution – a Report to Congress mandated by Section 132 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020. This webinar will cover the details in the report as well as some of the ongoing efforts in the United States and beyond addressing microfiber pollution.

Plastics and Climate: Exploring What We Know, Impacts on Vulnerable Communities, and How to Solve the Problem

Speakers:

  • Alice Zhu, PhD Candidate & Vanier Scholar at the University of Toronto, Co-Founder of Plastics & Climate Project
  • Dr. John M. Doherty, Science and Policy Analyst at Environmental Law Institute
  • Margaret Spring, Chief Conservation and Science Officer at Monterey Bay Aquarium

April 4, 2024

From production and transport to consumption and disposal, plastics have a profound impact on our environment, including our climate. During this webinar, three expert panelists provide information on the effects of plastic consumption and production on climate change and answer questions about this serious problem. Explore the nature and scale of the plastic problem, hear about policy options to mitigate its effects, and learn about the disproportionate burden placed on vulnerable populations in this edition of the Trash Free Waters webinar series.

You Are What You Eat (and Breathe): Exposure and Impacts of Nano- and Microplastics on Human Health

Speakers:

November 30, 2023

Plastic waste of varying shapes, sizes and polymers is found throughout our environment and is one of the most prevalent types of solid waste materials found in our oceans and waterways. There are still many questions regarding the specific threat of micro- and nanoplastics to human health and our environment. Microplastics are typically defined as being less than five millimeters in length and nanoplastics are even smaller at 100 nanometers or less in length. As an emerging field of study, their impact on human health is still shrouded in a lot of uncertainty.

The three speakers on this webinar presented on what we know and what we do not know about our exposure to micro- and nanoplastics and their impacts on our health.

The Voyage of 5 Gyres

Speakers:

  • Dr. Marcus Eriksen, Co-founder and Scientist, 5Gyres Institute
  • Anna Cummins, Co-founder and Executive Director, 5Gyres Institute

June 13, 2023

On this webinar, the Trash Free Waters program hosted a conversation with Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins, co-founders of the non-governmental organization 5Gyres Institute and renowned experts and advocates for a world free of plastic pollution. Learn about their journey from awareness to advocacy, the synergies and challenges between their passion for family and cause, and their vision for how to create a healthier world for current and future generations.

Extended Producer Responsibility - The Corporate Contribution to Keeping U.S. Waterways Clean  

Speakers:

  • Scott Cassel, CEO & Founder, Product Stewardship Institute
  • Nicole Grohoski, Maine State Senator, Maine Senate District 7

  • Kelly McBee, Circular Economy Sr. Coordinator, As You Sow

February 15, 2023

There are many strategies to consider for effectively preventing trash from entering waterways or removing it once it is there. Positively changing consumer behavior, expanding recycling infrastructure, installing trash capture devices in waterways or as part of stormwater conveyance systems, and more constitute parts of the solution space - but in and of themselves, these solutions may not be adequate to keep waterways clean. A potentially impactful step that is now being considered and increasingly implemented throughout the United States is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a policy to ensure that the private sector bear significant responsibility for the environmental impacts of their product throughout the product life cycle.

These expert panelists provide context to EPR policies and development at national, state, and corporate levels. 

Bioplastics - The Good, The Bad, & The Band-Aids 

Speakers:

  • Jason Locklin, Founder of New Materials Institute at the University of Georgia
  • Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute
  • Jamie Brown, Zero Waste Specialist at EcoProducts

October 27, 2022

Bioplastics have been circulated in consumer markets for decades, with the promise of reducing plastic waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and general fossil fuel use and extraction. Plastic pollution (macro and micro) has proven to be an incredible challenge for our planet, making innovations such as these necessary for future sustainability in waste management. While bioplastics and their promises have delivered in many regards, their composition and current processing infrastructure may not be quite at the caliber we would hope for in 2022.

This panel of experts will discuss the pros and cons associated with modern bioplastics, behavior change and behavior perpetuation that has come about from bioplastic use, and the future of bioplastic innovations in consumer markets.

Illegal Dumping - Best Practices to Address a Complex and Persistent Problem

Speakers:

July 13, 2022

Illegal dumping, which broadly refers to the "disposal of waste in an unpermitted area," is a persistent problem that can have significant impacts on public health and the environment. Though illegal dumping occurs in many regions across the U.S., the causes and consequences vary widely. This webinar provides an overview of illegal dumping, what we know about the underlying causes, and the challenges that communities face in responding to and preventing illegally dumped waste. The speakers shared insights and lessons learned from their experiences researching the issue or implementing programs to mitigate illegal dumping.

Using Clean Water Act Programs to Reduce Trash in Waterways

Speakers:

  • Jillian Adair, Standards and TMDLs Section, Water Division, EPA Region 3
  • Elizabeth Ottinger, Permits Section, Water Division, EPA Region 3 
  • Mark Cameron, Section Chief, Watershed Planning and Partnerships, Baltimore City Department of Public Works    
May 26, 2022

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law governing the protection of the nation’s waters. The CWA established several programs that states and municipalities can use to reduce the amount of trash loadings into waterways. In this webinar, attendees can learn how some states in the Mid-Atlantic region are addressing trash pollution using CWA programs, including the Water Quality Standards, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), Nonpoint Source, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System programs. Speakers discussed the opportunities and limitations associated with various programmatic approaches to addressing trash loadings into waterways.

Outreach and Education for Trash Free Waters – What Makes a Successful Campaign?

Speakers:

  • Ellie Moss, Founder and Principal at Moss and Mollusk Consulting and primary author of “Reducing Plastic Pollution: Campaigns That Work”
  • Katie Register, Executive Director of Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University
  • Adam Lindquist, Director of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore’s Healthy Harbor Initiative 
January 20, 2022

Changing the way people consume products and dispose of their waste is an important part of the solution to the plastic pollution crisis. But when do outreach campaigns and education efforts actually result in the behavior changes necessary to prevent plastic and other types of trash from getting into our waterways? In this EPA Trash Free Waters Program webinar, three expert speakers discussed lessons learned and best practices for outreach campaigns aimed at preventing aquatic trash. The speakers provided practical information on how to craft an effective anti-littering or source reduction outreach campaign and discussed common barriers to achieving desired behavior changes and strategies for overcoming these barriers.       

Data Collection and Monitoring for Trash-Free Waterways

Speakers:

  • Dr. Pinar Balci, Assistant Commissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis
  • Randy Hartmann, Senior Director of Affiliate Operations, Keep America Beautiful
  • Sarah Kollar, Outreach Manager, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas Program, Ocean Conservancy
September 23, 2021

When it comes to trash in waterways, it’s hard to manage what you can’t measure. Data on the location, amount, and types of trash polluting the environment can have a wide range of benefits. It has the potential to increase public awareness, guide policy solutions, and improve the effectiveness of solid waste and stormwater management. However, trash is a complex pollutant and obtaining useful data on trash in waterways is fraught with challenges. The sixth installment in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Trash Free Waters Webinar Series, Data Collection and Monitoring for Trash-Free Waterways, examined the benefits and challenges associated with litter data collection and monitoring.

During the webinar, speakers described three data collection and monitoring efforts that are each making an impact in different ways. Speakers provided local, national, and global perspectives on methods for collecting and analyzing trash data and the major challenges for obtaining and utilizing data. 

Reuse Models as Part of the Solution to the Plastic Pollution Crisis

Speakers:

  • Crystal Dreisbach, Executive Director of Don't Waste Durham and Founder of Durham GreenToGo
  • Annika Greve, Business Development Director (North America), Loop
  • Miriam Gordon, Policy Director, UPSTREAM Solutions
March 11, 2021

Disposable plastic packaging is a major source of the plastic waste that is accumulating at alarming rates in marine and freshwater environments. About 40% of all plastic produced globally is used for packaging. Reuse and refill models are creating new opportunities for consumers to reduce the amount of waste they generate by making it easier to purchase goods in reusable containers. In this webinar, speakers describe different types of reuse and refill models and discuss why reuse can be an important part of the solution to the plastic pollution problem both globally and locally. Speakers will also discuss the major challenges and opportunities for launching, maintaining, and scaling up reuse systems.

Experiences and Lessons Learned from Trash Capture Projects

Speakers:

  • Darryl Haddock, Education Director, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance
  • Matt Robinson, Environmental Protection Specialist, Washington DC Department of Energy & Environment
  • Chris Sommers, Vice President-Project Management, EOA Inc.
November 5, 2020
Trash capture devices can be effective interventions for reducing the amount of trash in our waterways, particularly in areas with heavy trash loads in municipal runoff. However, there are many considerations to take into account when determining whether a trash capture project is appropriate for a given area and when designing, implementing, and maintaining the project. ThisTrash Free Waters webinar brings together experts who have planned and implemented trash capture projects in watersheds across the country for a discussion of lessons learned from their experiences.
 

Local Policies on Single-Use Plastics in the U.S.

Speakers:

  • Josh Kelly, Materials Management Section Chief - Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
  • Kara Mertz, Sustainability Manager - City of Boulder, Colorado
  • Jennie Romer, Esq., Legal Associate - Plastic Pollution Initiative, Surfrider Foundation
  • Tommy Wells, Director -DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
July 9, 2020
This webinar is an in-depth discussion about state and local policies designed to reduce single-use plastic waste in the U.S. The panel of expert speakers provided insights based on their diverse experiences working to craft and implement these policies. 
 

Lessons Learned from the Trash Free Texas Adopt-A-Spot Program

Project champions from the City of Fort Worth, Keep Texas Beautiful, and Texas State University

April 15, 2020
This webinar provides a deep dive into a cutting-edge platform that marries litter hotspots and citizen activism in ways that prevent and reduce the flow of trash into our watersheds. Speakers explain the history, use and evolution of this important tool which can be exported and adapted to watersheds across the nation and abroad.
 

Brett Howell Cleanup Expedition to Henderson Island

Brett Howell, Conservationist

December 11, 2019
Please watch for an interactive online discussion with Brett Howell about his recent trip to Henderson Island, an uninhabited coral atoll in the South Pacific's Pitcairn Islands which has become inundated with marine debris from across the globe. Listen in for a first-hand account of Brett's experience as well as a discussion of his efforts to help remediate the worldwide plastic pollution crisis.
 

 2017 Plastics Webinar Series

Webinar #1: Impacts of Plastics in the Aquatic Environment

Dr. Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto

January 31, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Rochman provides an overview of plastics sources, impacts and solutions, taking both ecological and human health concerns into account, and discusses major gaps in our current understanding of plastics pollution.

Resources Referenced in the Webinar

Webinar #2: Sources and Distribution of Microplastics in the Environment

Dr. Kara Lavender Law

February 28, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Law provides an overview of microplastics sources and distribution including estimates of the global distribution of microplastics and their potential risks, and considers some practical solutions to reducing microplastics in the environment.

Resource Referenced in the Webinar

Webinar #3: Contaminants Associated with Microplastics

Dr. Bart Koelmans

April 18, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Koelmans provides an overview of how environmental contaminants interact with microplastics and whether microplastics act as carriers for these contaminants, including results from mathematical calculations and laboratory studies.

Webinar #4: Risk Assessment of Plastics and Microplastics

Dr. Denise Hardesty

April 25, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Hardesty provides an overview of different approaches to estimate and understand the potential impacts of plastics and microplastics, including assessments for seabirds and sea turtles, as well as research that she and her colleagues have done to understand marine litter sources in Australia on a national scale.

Resources Referenced in the Webinar

  • Surowiecki, James. The Wisdom of Crowds. New York: Anchor Books, 2005
  • Dr. Hardesty's Publications (scroll down page to "Publications").

Webinar #5: Plastics in the Deep Sea

Dr. Lucy Woodall

May 30, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Lucy Woodall discusses the latest research that she and others are conducting to understand the presence and distribution of plastics in the deep sea, and how this plastic might impact marine life.

Resources Referenced in the Webinar

Webinar #6: Waste Management of Plastics and Upstream Solutions

Dr. Jenna Jambeck

June 27, 2017

In this webinar, Dr. Jenna Jambeck discusses her research on global waste management and mismanagement of plastics as well as potential solutions to reduce and prevent the release of plastic waste into the environment.

Resources Referenced in the Webinar

Webinar #7: Preventing Marine Debris through Outreach and Education

Krista Stegemann

July 25, 2017

In this webinar, Krista Stegemann discusses NOAA-funded projects that aim to prevent marine debris through outreach and education, as well as strategies and educational resources for marine debris communication.

Resource Referenced in the Webinar

Webinar #8: Reducing Plastic Pollution with Better Products and Policies

Dr. Jason McDevitt

August 29, 2017

Dr. Jason McDevitt discusses potential replacements for plastic products and how we can improve the ways in which we design materials and products to minimize their environmental impacts.

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Last updated on January 15, 2025