Our students from Tauranga participated in a citizen science action plan to investigate the presence of both microplastics and macroplastics along the shoreline and in seawater at Tauranga Harbour.

This ongoing focus on microplastics is further underscored by recent research conducted by a University of Canterbury scientist, who discovered that microplastics are contaminating organic compost and biosolids in Aotearoa New Zealand. This first-of-its-kind type of study provided shocking results, that ‘distinguishable microplastics detected in biowastes included microbeads, glitter, PU foam sponge fragments, and multicolored films of remnants of packaging and embellishments, all of which have not been previously widely reported in biowastes. However, the majority of microplastics in biowastes were fragments, films, and fibers of indiscernible origin’.

Full details of their research, methods and findings can be found here.

The PTC Trust remains committed to empowering our rangatahi by raising awareness of the environmental threats posed by microplastics. With increased understanding, our youth are better equipped to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable future.