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Great Lakes Microplastics Summit

Virtual conference with a coffee cup
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Great Lakes Microplastics Summit

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is proud to present the Great Lakes Microplastic Summit, a dynamic one-day, virtual event uniting scientists, professionals, policymakers, and community members to explore the growing impact of microplastics on our freshwater systems.

Now calling for Abstracts.

EGLE is now accepting proposals to present at the virtual 2026 Great Lakes Microplastics Summit on October 7-8, 2026.

microplastics floating in dark, greenish blue water

Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, smaller than 5mm (a grain of rice or smaller). They can come from intentionally made products, such as glitter, which is called a primary source, or from larger plastic items that have worn down over time, such as broken plastic containers, which are secondary sources. Microplastics can be found across the world, including in plants, animals, and people, as well as our physical environment. 

Learn more about microplastics