Join the hunt to protect Lake Ontario from microplastic pollution!
A Greener Future proudly presents Cobourg's first-ever Nurdle Hunt! This special event, hosted in partnership with the Town of Cobourg, will take participants on a tour across three local waterfront locations to learn about and take action on one of the most overlooked forms of plastic pollution - nurdles.
Nurdles, small plastic pellets used to make most plastic products, are the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution worldwide. We've found early signs of pollution along our beautiful shores, which is why now is the perfect time to act, raise awareness, and prevent the issue from growing. They may be tiny, but their negative impact on our waterways and wildlife is drastic. By joining the hunt, you’ll become part of a global movement to track, collect, and remove nurdles before they do more damage.
During this hands-on event, participants will:
Visit multiple local sites where nurdles have been found
Learn how to identify and collect nurdles safely & effectively
Discover how nurdles end up in the environment and why this pollution matters
Contribute to global data collection efforts that hold the plastics industry accountable
Join us for this unique experience and help keep Cobourg’s shores clean, healthy, and nurdle-free! 💚
📍 Meeting Spot: North of the Oval on Albert Street, Parking in the Second Street Lot is FREE! (Google Map)
The tour will start at the Second Street Parking Lot, followed by a short walk to the Cobourg Harbour for stop number 1. Stop number 2 is at Victoria Park, a 7-minute walk from the Harbour. From there, we’ll head back to the parking lot and drive to stop number 3, Brook Creek Outfall. Carpooling is available.
Wear your walking shoes and be prepared for an eye-opening experience, great conversations, and a new way to help protect our planet. To register, please reply to this email with the names of the attendees.
Locations
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Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, often no larger than a lentil, used as raw materials in the production of plastic products. Due to their size and buoyancy, they're easily dispersed and can be found littered along beaches worldwide. These seemingly innocuous pellets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as they can be mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to ingestion and entanglement. By removing nurdles from our shores, we're safeguarding the delicate balance of Lake Ontario's ecosystem.
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Lake Ontario serves as a vital source of freshwater for millions of people and a habitat for diverse aquatic life. Yet, plastic pollution threatens its health and biodiversity. By participating in the Nurdle Hunt, you're directly contributing to the preservation of this precious ecosystem and mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on people and animals. Each nurdle we remove is one less piece of plastic eaten by fish or contaminating our drinking water. Plus, the data you collect contributes to international research efforts to stop nurdle pollution at its source.
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Appropriate clothing for the weather
A filled reusable water bottle
Big smiles & team spirit!
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No need to fret about equipment! We'll equip you with all the necessary gear, including sifters, tweezers, and buckets, to ensure a safe and efficient nurdle hunting experience. Just bring yourself, we’ve got the rest covered!