Thanks to a partnership with the binational Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) through the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup—a joint initiative of CGLR and Canada-based Pollution Probe—as well as generous funding and support from North American energy company TC Energy, the Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) has deployed a cleanup and capture device known as the BeBot this summer at several locations throughout the City of Marquette. SWP will also be deploying the BeBot at coastal areas throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The Great Lakes region holds 84% of North America’s surface freshwater, providing water for 107 million residents and habitat for thousands of species—many of which are unique to the region. Keeping this vital water resource clean and litter-free is essential. Yet the Great Lakes face an alarming plastic pollution problem. Models estimate that up to 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year through various sources and pathways, polluting the lakes and surrounding watersheds—a crisis that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars annually to address.
In 2023, TC Energy donated to CGLR’s charitable arm to support Midwestern beach and waterway cleanups through the purchase and deployment of a BeBot. This investment was made possible through TC Energy’s Build Strong program, which focuses on implementing measurable community impact in the key areas of safety, education, environment, and resilient communities. By April 2024, the TC Energy BeBot officially launched in Northern Michigan, as part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup program, furthering TC Energy’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Their support is helping to drive meaningful change for a cleaner, healthier Great Lakes region.
Join the Superior Watershed Partnership this Friday, August 22th at 10 AM at South Beach to participate in this beach clean-up with SWP staff and the BeBot!
The collaboration between the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, TC Energy, and the Superior Watershed Partnership marks a positive step toward combating plastic pollution in our region and securing a more sustainable future.
For more information, follow the conversation @GLPCleanup and visit www.greatlakesplasticcleanup.org. For more information about this event contact kathleen@superiorwatersheds.org for more information.
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