Event Overview
Each year, plastic pollution makes its way into rivers and waterways across the United States, threatening aquatic ecosystems, public health, and the communities that depend on clean water.
In Chicago, the scale is measurable: in 2023 alone, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District collected 675 tons of debris from the Chicago River, between 75% and 95% of which was plastic. The Chicago River runs through the heart of the city, connecting communities, supporting ecosystems, and drawing millions of visitors each year. Plastic pollution puts all of that at risk.
In this presentation, The Great Bubble Barrier, a Dutch social enterprise that has deployed river clean-up technology in waterways across Europe, will introduce a science-backed approach to tackling plastic pollution at the source.
Join us to explore:
– Why it is important to tackle plastic pollution close to the source
– The impact that plastic pollution has on cities in terms of tourism, health, water quality, and climate change
– How Bubble Barrier technology works, and what it has achieved in cities like Amsterdam, Katwijk, and Harlingen
– How cities can monitor and measure the impact of plastic pollution in their waterways
– How this technology could be applied in Chicago and the broader Great Lakes region, where The Great Bubble Barrier has already completed feasibility studies
This webinar is designed for city officials, water managers, policymakers, researchers, and non-profits in the Chicago and Great Lakes region who are looking for practical, proven tools to address plastic pollution in their waterways.
A live Q&A will follow the presentation.
Host: The Great Bubble Barrier
Location
This event is virtual.
Date and Time
Monday May 4, from 10am to 11am
Cost
Free
Event Type
Innovation, Technical, Product or Company Showcase
