​Albany Beach 2012-2015

​Plastic pollution can be divided into two categories, large and small. The small stuff is termed “Microplastics” and includes anything less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) across.

​Working with “Static Charge Filtration” (SCF) screens developed by Marc Ward of Sea Turtles Forever (STF) COI worked with a team from Albany High Schools Ocean Protection League over the course of a couple years to conduct documentation surveys and remove toxic micro debris from their home beach.

Some areas of the beach have concentrations of plastic debris up to 986 grams of plastic in one meter square by 10 cm (three inches) deep. This includes syringes with needles still attached and 5% pre-production plastic pellets (Nurdles) and most of this waste is covered with water borne toxic film of petroleum products from the sea’s surface.

​In 2016 We return to Albany in an effort to return the beach to a clean place to play.

​Project Summary

​Project Name: Albany Beach Micro Debris Removal

​Focus: Micro debris awareness and removal

​Number of Volunteers: 18

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​GROUPS INVOLVED

​COI

​Albany High School Ocean Protection League

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​CHALLENGE

​Safely remove micro plastics and toxic waste from Urban Beach 

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SOLUTION

​Custom build debris sifting screens and teach safety first techniques 

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​RESULTS

​Raise awareness of issue to East Bay Regional Parks (Agency in Charge)