5 Gyres

Even the Arctic isn’t safe from plastic candy wrappers 🫣 We spotted this Snickers wrapper frozen in Arctic ice during an expedition. A stark reminder that plastic pollution reaches even the most remote corners of our planet. 🌍 📸: Franco Borgogno #MoreOceanLessPlastic

The plastics industry has known about the potential health risks of microplastics for decades, with evidence dating back to the 1940s. Read the full exposé by @susrust in the @latimes 👉latimes.com/environment/stor…

Update from the field! We made it to the Arctic! 🧊🌊 We’ll be measuring the impacts of microplastics in the air and water across this remote, pristine polar region. ❄️ Stay tuned to see what we find! 🔬 #ScienceToSolutions #MoreOceanLessPlastic

Last month, our team attended See Change Sessions where our Director of Science and Innovation, Dr. Lisa Erdle, shared insights into the sources of microfiber emissions, why we should care, and who needs to be part of the solution. Watch the full video 👉 youtu.be/M8nsvfKpw-M?si=VxR_…

Could microplastics become the next PFAS? 🌎 5 Gyres’ Paulita Bennett-Martin spoke with @Enhesa, stating: “Microplastics is a high-priority policy area, and it is a clear frontier to tackle. It warrants being the next PFAS or more." Read more: product.enhesa.com/article/n…

New research suggests that when microplastics meet water, they can trigger chemical reactions that may damage living cells. 🔬🌊 This research brings us one step closer to understanding how microplastics impact our human health. news.climate.columbia.edu/20…

Our team spent two fun nights tabling at @jackjohnson’s shows! 🎤🥞 Jack joined us on an expedition more than 10 years ago and it’s always so great to reconnect with him! 🌊 Thank you to everyone who stopped by and to @allatonceorg for having us! 💙 #MoreOceanLessPlastic

This shouldn’t be normal 💔🌊 But unfortunately, microplastics are everywhere. They’re in our oceans, our homes, and even our own bodies — putting ecosystems and public health at risk. 📢 Join us in demanding targeted solutions at 5gyres.org/MicroplasticFreeU… 📸: @intertidalkendy

5 Gyres' Senior Digital Marketing Lead, Hannah Tizedes, is urging Illinois lawmakers to protect the Great Lakes from microplastic pollution by advancing meaningful plastics policies. 📢 Read the full article in the @chicagotribune 👉 chicagotribune.com/2026/10/0…

📢 Another step toward reducing plastic pollution! The @CitySolanaBeach has passed the Microplastic Prevention Resolution. Thank you to Mayor LesaHeebner and the Solana Beach City Council. Read more 👉 pub-solanabeach.escribemeeti… #MicroplasticFreeUS

Plastic chemicals are inundating our homes — from personal care products to children’s toys and kitchen utensils. But at what cost to our health? Read the full article by @LaMotteSandee 👉 cnn.com/2026/09/30/health/ha…

As concerns about the health impacts of microplastics grow, 5 Gyres' Director of Science & Innovation Dr. Lisa Erdle spoke with @foodandwine to share what the science tells us. Learn more: foodandwine.com/reduce-micro…

Meet Melissa Valliant, 5 Gyres’ new Communications Director! She’s spent the past decade communicating the plastic pollution problem and its solutions to the public, press, and policymakers, and is excited to make some waves with us! Join us in welcoming her! 🌊

Our first-ever scientific land-based expedition is officially complete! 📢🥾🔬 Over two weeks, we hiked the 174-mile Tahoe Rim Trail loop, collecting 28 soil samples, 35 air samples, and documenting hundreds of pieces of litter. 🌲 Stay tuned for more! ⛰️ #ScienceToSolutions

📢 There’s still time to help us protect our parks from plastic pollution! Join us by heading to a national, state, or local park before October 1st and submit the trash you find using the #TrashBlitz app! Learn more at 5gyres.org/PlasticFreeParks 🎨: @goodnightpine

📢 Tomorrow! Join us in Tahoe for a panel discussion to learn more about our first land-based expedition kicking off this week! RSVP now: tahoerimtrail.org/event/trai…

📢 Introducing TrashBlitz Caribbean! 5 Gyres is looking for Caribbean-based organizations to partner with to bring TrashBlitz into three new Caribbean nations over the next two years! 🌎 Learn more & apply before Sept 13th 👉5gyres.org/TrashBlitzCaribbe…

As we look for solutions to plastic pollution, where do biomaterials fit in? Our #BetterAlternatives research offers greater transparency by examining how materials behave in the real world. Read the full article, featuring our work from @AP 👉 ap.org/news-highlights/spotl…

More than 60% of the world's clothing is now plastic. 5 Gyres' Director of Science & Innovation Dr. Lisa Erdle spoke with KOOSHOO to discuss the rise of synthetic textiles, microplastic pollution, and what we can do. kooshoo.com/blogs/zero-waste…