Do We Have a Microplastic Problem in NSW Coastal Waterways?

Despite growing awareness, scientific research, and policy efforts to curb plastic waste, global estimates indicate that millions of tonnes of plastic now circulate in the world’s oceans (Eriksen et al., 2023). Projections warn that by 2050, plastic could outweigh fish if the current trends continue (World Economic Forum & Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2016). Microplastics – plastics smaller than 5 mm in size – originate both from the breakdown of larger plastics and from intentionally manufactured micro-sized plastics used in industrial and consumer products.

 

Microplastics are pervasive and increasingly difficult to avoid in our modern-day lifestyle. Sources are widespread, from the clothes we wear to the tyres on our cars. Once released, they are readily transported via stormwater, air, wastewater, and rivers, allowing them to accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

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​​Their impact on marine and freshwater ecosystems has been well documented through studies at both local and international scales (Thompson et al., 2024; Hossain et al., 2025). As attention turns to finding solutions, consistent and detailed monitoring is essential to understand where and how these pollutants accumulate in the environment. Equally important is the establishment of robust baseline data, which enables the effectiveness of future interventions to be measured over time.

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Since 2018, the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) has established one of the most comprehensive shoreline datasets in the country. Using a standardised sampling method combined with the power of citizen science, AUSMAP has mapped pollution hotspots, characterised dominant microplastic types, and supported local action through councils, schools, and community networks.

 

The report "Do We Have a Microplastic Problem in NSW Coastal Waterways?" provides insight into 7 years of data, demonstrating the persistence and scale of microplastic pollution within NSW. ​

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Our report aims to act as an early warning system, demonstrating the value of community-driven science in guiding targeted interventions and shaping effective policy.

 

 

​The report shows:

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- NSW regional comparisons

- Metro Sydney as a microplastic hotspot

- What's driving this microplastic pollution in Metropolitan Sydney

- Case studies on Manly Cove, Synthetic Grass,  Plastic Pellet Pollution and Kiama Community

Group to demonstrate AUSMAP's commitment to action

- How AUSMAP’s evidence-based framework and targeted recommendations are critical for reducing microplastic loads and protecting the long-term health of NSW waterways.​

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Our NSW dataset

Our dataset, built by over 70 contributing groups, includes...

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546   158

                                                              Microplastic Shoreline Surveys                         Unique Locations

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5,200+  11,000

                                                   

                                 AUSMAP Participants Involved                                                Combined Volunteer Hours                                    

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​WHat does the data show? ​

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Metropolitan Sydney is the state’s primary microplastic hotspot area.​ According to AUSMAP data, microplastic pollution has increased threefold in the region since 2018.  

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Average microplastics concentrations across NSW Coastal Regions, 2018-2021 & 2022-2025. Values in parentheses indicate the number of surveys. Site-level data are provided in the Appendix Tables A2-A4. MPs = microplastics. Figure created in Datawrapper.

 

In the 2018-2021 monitoring period, microplastics averaged 306 particles per m² on Metropolitan Sydney shorelines.​ However, in the 2022-2025 period there was an approximate three-fold increase in microplastics with an average of 1,004 particles per m².

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​Want to learn more about what's driving microplastic pollution in NSW? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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​​This report would not have been possible without the dedication of the many present and past AUSMAP and Total Environment Centre staff, interns, and volunteers who have contributed to the sampling, data collection, and analysis over time. Their efforts laid the foundation for this report, and their contribution to understanding microplastic pollution across Australia is sincerely acknowledged. ​​​​​​

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