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“Getting to the UN treaty table takes years of research, data, and community action — and staying there takes ongoing support. We’ve made it this far, and with your help, we can turn this treaty into real change.”  — Dr Scott Wilson, AUSMAP Research Director AUSMAP at the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations in Geneva Dr Scott on the second row behind the #BreakFreeFromPlastic banner | Photo credit: Trixie Guerrero From 05 to 14 August 2025,189 nations and more than 650 observer groups — from NGOs to scientists to industry lobbyists — gathered in Geneva for the latest round of talks on the Global Plastics Treaty 2025 . This treaty seeks to be the first legally binding global agreement to end plastic pollution. For AUSMAP, this moment is the result of years of citizen science, mapping microplastics across Australia, and pushing our government to take action. Now, we’re bringing that data to the world stage. But after days of tense talks, the negotiations ended in stalemate . The sticking point? Whether to include a binding cap on single-use plastic production  — the very source of the problem. Other issues that remain unresolved include how to address plastic pollution across its entire life cycle and whether to tackle human health impacts and harmful chemicals in plastics. Before Geneva — The Work to Get tHere Our journey started on Australia’s shorelines. Volunteers, schools, and communities have been collecting sediment samples for over eight years. That evidence built the Australian Microplastic Pollution Hotspot Map  — showing that tiny plastic fragments are everywhere, from remote beaches to urban harbours. That map has already influenced state and national policies and scientific research. Without citizen science and robust data, we wouldn’t have a voice in Geneva. At the Negotiations — AUSMAP Driving Change at the Global Plastics Treaty 2025 Inside the UN, three big questions dominated debate: Plastic production caps  — Will the world agree to reduce plastics at the source? Full life-cycle accountability  — From production and chemicals to disposal and waste. Monitoring and enforcement  — Ensuring commitments are more than words. Australia stood firm as part of the High Ambition Coalition  of 120+ nations, pushing for binding rules on plastic production and chemical additives. This group of high ambition nations support a full lifecycle approach to plastics, from production to waste, climate and health impacts.  But opposition came from oil and plastic giants — including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, China, and the United States — who resisted any cap on production, and insisted on focusing on downstream management, like recycling, which we know is not the solution. Meanwhile, industry lobbyists were everywhere. More than 230 lobbyists , mostly from oil, gas, and plastics, had direct access to negotiations — some embedded within national delegations. Their influence was clear: stall, weaken, delay. From AUSMAP’s side, Dr Scott worked with Pacific Island nations, NGOs, and scientists to ensure microplastics are recognised as a life-cycle issue , not just a waste problem. We’ve been making the case that science and monitoring must be central if the treaty is to succeed. Dr Scott outside the Plastic Treaty Negotiations in Geneva - AUSMAP driving change at the Global Plastics Treaty 2025. After the Treaty — What’s Next The reality is clear: a treaty without a production cap is a weak treaty . If necessary, high ambition nations must move ahead together, even without consensus from petrochemical states. We call on the Australian Federal Government to do so, and to do so fast. Australia’s Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed he is disappointed no agreement was secured, but reinforcing " Australia was never going to accept a bad deal for our environment " . Australia stood strong as part of the High Ambition Coalition, pushing for binding rules to limit problematic plastics and harmful chemicals.  We still have a big job at home:  Australia continues to be the second-largest consumer of single-use plastics in the world, and we can’t recycle our way out of this crisis. We call for: Strong packaging regulations that cut single-use plastics, scales up a circular economy, not just focusing on recycling; Rules that make producers responsible for plastics across their full lifecycle; and Monitoring and enforcement systems powered by science and citizen data . The good news? More than 80% of Australians support strong packaging laws . Now it’s time to deliver. We still have a big job at home — Australia must now turn treaty promises into strong national action to reduce plastic pollution. How You Can Be Part of This Every shoreline survey, every data set, and every intervention at the Global Plastics Treaty is only possible because of people like you. You can: Donate today to ensure we can keep monitoring our shorelines for microplastic pollution and informing the state, national and international community of our results Share this message with your community Collect a microplastic sample along your local shoreline , if you have been AUSMAP trained. “Plastic pollution is everywhere, but once we make it visible, change becomes possible. The Global Plastics Treaty is a huge step forward — but only if we make sure the promises are kept. That means more science, more advocacy, and more people like you standing with us.” — Dr Scott Wilson, AUSMAP Research Director Dr Scott Wilson representing AUSMAP at the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations _________________ To learn more about AUSMAP’s work and how you can help, visit AUSMAP’s website  or follow us on social media. AUSMAP's work is entirely grant and donation funded - donate here and help us continue the longest running microplastic dataset. Our data helps put microplastics on the map, contributing to real-life science and policy change.

A Spotlight on the next generation of ocean advocates. This is our first instalment of next wave - stories from the next generation of youth ocean ambassadors. In this edition, we are introducing our first Next Wave Youth Advocate, Christina Ding. Christina is a Year 10 student at Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne. Passionate about protecting the planet, she became more aware of environmental issues like plastic pollution and climate change during her school’s month-long outdoor program, Marshmead. She enjoys exploring nature and sharing its beauty through drone videography and photography, using her voice to inspire others to take action. Vol 1. How students can help tackle plastic pollution World Environment Day 2025 By Christina Ding Drone photo by Christina Ding Each year, World Environment Day shines a spotlight on a critical issue threatening our planet. This year’s theme—plastic pollution—is one many of us are already familiar with, especially at school. Whether it’s through clubs, classes, or projects, we’ve probably all heard about the dangers of plastic. But now, just after World Environment Day, it’s crucial we do more than simply remember its message. Awareness isn’t enough—we need action. Right now, the world generates over 400 million tonnes of plastic every year. Around 8 million tonnes end up in the oceans—equivalent to the weight of 2 million elephants. In Australia alone, around 100,000 marine animals — including sea turtles, seabirds, whales, and dolphins — are killed by plastic pollution each year, with many more decomposing unseen on the ocean floor . And beyond directly harming wildlife, plastic fuels climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from oil extraction and processing. It all feels overwhelming—but here’s the good news: Students can help more than you might think. By making small changes in our daily lives and encouraging others to do the same, we can make a real impact. So, what are some simple actions that we can all take? Reduce Plastic Use Source: Natalia Klenova Reducing plastic use is one of the most effective things we can do. And it doesn’t mean turning your life upside down—it’s about small, conscious choices. Swap glad wrap for reusable containers when packing your lunch Say no to disposable cutlery, straws, coffee cups—bring your own metal straw and keep-cup Ditch bottled water and use a reusable water bottle Reuse Creatively Source: Yvonne Lebens from Getty Images Reusing plastic doesn’t have to be boring. It can be creative and fun! You can make crafts and household items from used plastic, such as bottle cap mosaics, toy cars, or homemade organisers.  Recycle Responsibly Source: @photoimages on Canva Right now, plastic is such a ubiquitous presence in our lives that it isn’t possible to avoid it completely. This brings us to recycling—to give your plastic waste a new life.  It is important to make a conscious decision of choosing the correct bin for your waste. If you’re unsure, check the local recycling guidelines and avoid “wish-cycling” (putting things in the recycling bin hoping  they are recyclable). Limit microplastics  Source: SivStock Media Microplastics are everywhere. These tiny pieces of plastic harm our environment and our health. And one of the biggest sources? Our clothes. Each wash can release up to 1.5 million microfibres per kilogram of synthetic fabric . That’s an estimated 35% of all primary microplastic pollution. Here’s how to reduce microplastic pollution:  Limit purchase and use of synthetic textiles, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic Choose natural fibres (like cotton and wool) when possible Air-dry your clothes—dryers release even more microfibres. Retrofit your washing machine with a microfibre filter  Spread awareness Source: Sorapop Udomsri Beyond implementing changes in your own home, you can also spread awareness of our plastic pollution problem and inspire others to take action.  Participate in or organise local cleanups  Share tips and stories through school newsletters, clubs, or assemblies. Launch plastic-free initiatives at your school—start with eliminating bottled water (did you know that a study showed 93% of bottled water samples contain microplastics ?) Without serious intervention, ocean plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2040. But we don’t need to wait for governments or corporations to act. Your actions—no matter how small—matter. You can even eat ice-cream in a cone to save the cup and spoon! Let’s make every day a step toward a cleaner, plastic-free planet. _________________________ If you would like to be involved in our future Next Wave stories, send through your blog post to info@ausmap.org for your chance to be featured.

Dive into our June Newsletter! Hi AUSMAP Community!   As we move through the year, we’re excited to share some of the incredible work happening across the country to tackle microplastic pollution. From new survey locations to school workshops, the Ocean Lovers Festival to amazing grant projects— our citizen scientists are making real impact on shorelines across the country!   In this edition, you’ll find updates from recent events, upcoming opportunities to get involved, and inspiring stories from our growing AUSMAP community. Whether you’re a student, teacher, volunteer or partner — thank you for helping us out microplastics on the map!   DIVE INTO OUR JUNE NEWSLETTER Spaces are filling fast for our corporate Plastic Free July workshops in Sydney!   Join AUSMAP in your own office for a hands-on workshop. Help us sort a sample from a Sydney Microplastic Hotspot and leave empowered with how to make a difference!   Apply Here Every dollar helps us put microplastics on the map!   Make a tax-deductible donation today and help us engage communities nation-wide in citizen science and plastic pollution education programs!   Learn More See our latest Hotspot Map updates!   Have you checked out our Hotspot Map lately? We are now up to 1187 samples  nationwide! Click below and see if your local beach has any new microplastic surveys added!   Learn More

Manly Cove AUSMAP's longest running microplastic data set. AUSMAP Manly cove 42 Samples processed since June 2018 300+ Volunteers Engaged 29 "High" samples over 250+ microplastics per square meter 4097 Microplastics per square metre is the highest amount of microplastics found on Manly Cove beach Next manly cove survey Sunday 2nd November 2025 9:00am manly cove beach (Art Gallery and Museum end) look for the AUSMAP Flag The Manly Cove story AUSMAP’s ongoing monitoring at Manly Cove, a popular beach in Sydney’s northern beaches, has revealed consistently high levels of microplastic pollution, marking it as one of Australia's significant hotspots. Since mid-2018, AUSMAP researchers and community members have collected over 60 samples from Manly Cove, building one of the most comprehensive datasets on microplastic pollution in Australia, and potentially worldwide. This data reveals concerning trends that highlight the severity and persistence of microplastic contamination at this site. The microplastic levels at Manly Cove frequently fall into the “High” (251-1,000 microplastics/m²) or “Very High” (1,001-10,000 microplastics/m²) categories on AUSMAP’s pollution scale, with a peak concentration recorded at 4,097 microplastics/m² in July 2024. This consistently elevated pollution suggests that Manly Cove is experiencing ongoing contamination from plastic debris. Change in microplastic loads at Manly Cove (2018-2024) WHat we find AUSMAP microplastic samples are analysed by classification of the type of microplastics found. Microplastic type identification allows understanding of potential sources of microplastic pollution. AUSMAP defines microplastic types as “Hard Fragments”, “Foam”, “Fibre”, “Pellet”, “Film”, Synthetic Grass” and “other”. The categorisation of such types are determined through a manual, visual identification process. Analysis Hard Fragments Pellets Artificial Grass What are the trends? Manly Cove data break down Hard plastic fragments and polystyrene foam pieces remain the dominant types of microplastics found at Manly Cove, together comprising approximately 80% (~ 8,000 pieces) of the total microplastics identified in 2024. These proportions have remained consistent over previous years, highlighting a persistent and ongoing pollution issue from land-based sources entering Manly Cove and surrounding areas through open stormwater outlets. Plastic industrial resin pellets, or nurdles, have also been found in significant quantities during surveys at Manly Cove, often comprising up to 10% of the recorded microplastics. Resembling fish eggs, nurdles are easily ingested by aquatic animals and their recurring presence highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and improved practices for handling and transporting these materials. Another concerning trend at Manly Cove is the increased prevalence of artificial grass fragments, which accounted for 2.1% of the microplastics collected in 2024, up from previous years. Artificial turf particles have been identified in nearly every survey this year, likely reflecting the rise in artificial grass installations across Sydney’s urban and suburban areas. These fragments pose emerging environmental challenges, as they degrade into microplastics that may impact aquatic ecosystems and human health. Urgent Action is needed. AUSMAP’s data on Manly Cove exemplifies the wider issue of plastic pollution and underscore the need for targeted actions and policies to address the root causes of microplastic pollution. Once microplastics enter the ocean, they are exceedingly difficult to remove, making prevention at the source the most effective solution. Stronger regulatory protections, coupled with efforts to reduce plastic use and improve waste handling, are essential to protect marine ecosystems and mitigate the long-term impacts of plastic pollution. Manly cove report Understand Manly Coves microplastic problem Report Here Donate here and help us continue the longest running microplastic dataset Our data helps put microplastics on the map, contributing to real-life science and policy change. DONATE HERE Want to know more? Email info@ausmap.org Follow

AUSMAP is a nation-wide citizen science initiative, surveying Australian beaches for microplastic pollution. NATIONAL CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT AUSTRALIAN MICROPLASTIC ASSESSMENT PROJECT OUR MISSION AUSMAP is a nationwide program using citizen science to document microplastic pollution. Our mission is to lead Australia in addressing the microplastic crisis by empowering communities, and advancing knowledge and solutions to drive change for a cleaner, healthier future. “Plastic pollution is everywhere, but once we make it visible, change becomes possible." Research Director Dr Scott Wilson Mission the plastic problem Until recently microplastic pollution presented scientists with a crisis that was invisible to the human eye. If no one could see the scale of the problem, how could we convince communities and government to engage with the biggest threat to ocean wildlife, and the human food chain, that has emerged in our lifetime? the ausmap solution AUSMAP brings science and community together to confront the growing threat of microplastic pollution through targeted, evidence-based action. By combining data, education, and advocacy, AUSMAP gives nature and community a powerful voice at the table with real solutions that reduces microplastic pollution. you can make a difference! Join our sample teams, train as an educator, help us build the network that will save our aquatic ecosystems from microplastic pollution or donate! JOIN US! DONATE! READ THE LATEST NEWS! Driving Change at the Global Plastics Treaty 2025 Inside the Global Plastics Treaty: Geneva Reflections Dr Scott Wilson reflects on the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Geneva. Discover what was achieved, the challenges ahead, and how Australians can drive real change at home. How students can help tackle plastic pollution - Next Wave A Spotlight on the next generation of ocean advocates. This is our first instalment of next wave - stories from the next generation of... What’s new in the world of AUSMAP? Dive into our June Newsletter! Hi AUSMAP Community! As we move through the year, we’re excited to share some of the incredible work... JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER! Be the first to hear about training days, the latest results from our data, research in microplastics, and much more! Subscribe! THANK YOU!

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