A massive environmental initiative has led to the removal of over 100,000 pieces of plastic and debris from Lake Ontario, significantly reducing pollution in the Toronto Harbour.
In 2024 alone, more than 600 kg of man-made waste was extracted from the water through a partnership between PortsToronto and the University of Toronto (U of T) Trash Team. Among the most commonly collected items were plastic pellets, foam from industrial containers, bottle caps, cigarette butts, and thousands of tiny, indistinguishable plastic fragments.
The cleanup was made possible through cutting-edge aquatic technology, including:
WasteSharks – floating robotic devices that scoop up trash
Seabins – submerged garbage filters
Manual skimming – hands-on removal efforts
This combination of methods allowed for the collection of 53,886 large pieces of debris and an astonishing 174,251 smaller fragments throughout the year.
Building on last year’s success, PortsToronto plans to expand its cleanup fleet by adding new devices in 2025 to further combat plastic pollution.
“We’re making a lasting impact on the future of the Toronto Harbour and Lake Ontario,” said RJ Steenstra, CEO of PortsToronto. “With new technology joining our Seabins and WasteSharks, we’re doubling down on our mission to clean our waters.”
Dr. Chelsea Rochman, Head of Operations at the U of T Trash Team, highlighted the importance of their work beyond just cleanup efforts.
“The data we collect helps us develop long-term solutions—like reducing cigarette butt litter, redesigning garbage bins to prevent overflow, and limiting single-use plastics in local businesses,” she explained.
Following the success of the 2024 initiative, additional plastic collection devices are set to be installed this year. As pollution levels continue to pose challenges, these collaborative efforts aim to make Lake Ontario cleaner and healthier for future generations.