Hello!
My name is Kyleigh Richardson from Georgia Southern University and I spent the summer of 2024 with POP for my internship. It was an amazing and eye-opening experience. As an intern, I gained knowledge in research, communications, and event/outreach sectors involved with this nonprofit. The staff was very welcoming and promoted an inclusive and supportive learning environment. POP uses science-based solutions to combat the plastic pollution crisis occurring. This nonprofit uses their research to educate communities and inspire everyone to make more sustainable choices that will improve human and environmental health. Thank you POP for what you do and thank you for the amazing experience!
POP is near and dear to my heart. I have been involved with this nonprofit since it's inception and every time I think they can't possibly do that, they go ahead and do. The small team at POP is a force to be reckoned with, from sailing thousands of miles collecting samples, to collecting thousands of pounds of trash then planting thousands of trees. They don't just rid the environment of plastic that isn't supposed to be there, they also replenish our environment with something that does. All while researching what plastics are where and how to deal with the overwhelming amount in our environs. I tip my hat to them and I wouldn't ever bet against them, they will figure out how to stop our pollution problem.
I am a University of North Carolina at Wilmington alumni and in my last 2 years of study I came across Plastic Ocean Project. I was introduced through a practicum I signed up for called "Marine Debris Field Study" where Bonnie was the teacher. Being someone who grew up on the coast and has a special connection with the ocean I immediately was inspired by the nonprofit's journey and mission. The class provided opportunities for students to get realistic hands-on experience participating in on-going research projects as well as going on field trips to the beach and even an ocean's advocacy workshop. At the end of the semester I was so excited to have learned how to use lab instruments and know I was contributing to something meaningful that is much bigger than me. I loved it so much I came back as a course assistant to fill out my internship requirement. Additionally, Plastic Ocean Project hosts many local events such as concerts, cornhole tournaments, beach cleanups, etc. that are creative and engaging to get the public involved. You can tell how much POP's team is passionately devoted to finding creative solution to this ongoing environmental disaster and they give hope to and inspire people of all ages.
It was founder Bonnie Monteleone's artwork that first drew me into the Plastic Ocean Project. Using marine debris that she'd collected while exploring plastic pollution in the ocean, Bonnie recreated large images of Hokusai Katsushika's woodblock print, The Great Wave. At first glance her artwork is beautiful, but then you realize what it represents - an ocean full of plastic. The impact is profound. Her artwork has traveled thousands of miles around the country to help educate people about plastic pollution and the work that Plastic Ocean Project does to combat it. Through this artwork, POP connects people with the plastic pollution problem and educates them on the environmental and public health issues it causes. POP informs people about the scientific research behind plastic pollution and encourages them to take actions to help mitigate the problem. Art speaks and through Bonnie's art, POP is telling a critically important story.
My name is Ashley Reep (age 22) and I will be graduating from UNCW this spring with a BA degree in Film Studies.
I started working with Plastic Ocean Project by getting involved at the University branch on campus at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as lead videographer in the summer of 2023.
After attending the events and publishing reels on social media about the club and their mission, I got a call from Bonnie Monteleone, the founder of POP, asking if I would be willing to fly to Bermuda in the spring of 2024 to help film their ongoing research about microplastic in the North Atlantic Gyre. Without thinking, I immediately said "yes". At this point, we had never officially met each other but I have heard nothing but good things about her from my peers. As someone with no environmental science background other than someone who enjoys watching environmental documentaries in their free time, I had no idea what I was getting into but knew I had to do this. All of my experience in filmmaking and documenting current events had prepared me for this moment.
Visiting Bermuda was an eye-opening experience, witnessing plastic debris washing up on its beautiful beaches. Whale Bone Bay, in particular, was littered with microplastics, and I even saw a paper cup with bite marks from a fish that had ingested it. Seeing this issue firsthand, beyond the classroom and presentations and statistics, left an extreme impact on me and helped shape my career path.
Since my trip to Bermuda, I have dedicated my time to volunteering with Plastic Ocean Project. This has included documenting various cleanups and filming their annual For The Ocean Gala, which is a major fundraiser that supports the nonprofit’s ongoing research and efforts to combat plastic pollution in our oceans.
I am currently in the final stages of editing the Bermuda documentary (still untitled) filmed in April of 2024. I’m thrilled to showcase this year-long project when it is finished. It holds a special place in my heart, and I am deeply grateful for their support in allowing me to share their mission. POP works across many different fields, not just videography, offering diverse opportunities to highlight its significance and conservation efforts. No matter your age or your background, you can make a difference at Plastic Ocean Project.
I was able to participate in a trash pick up event in Wilmington NC. It was very productive. Plastic Ocean provided everything volunteers needed to do that. We were focused on the work and made an impact. This nonprofit showed that they want to improve the lives of people in the area by removing litter from our roads.
POP mastered the art of efficiently planting hundreds of native trees at the county landfill as part of the "Trees for Trash" program. Litter collected is weighed and "traded" for trees. The POP team mobilized in with dozens of volunteers, divided the work, ensured sufficient tools, compost, and water were available, and knocked out each site visit in less than two hours. This ingenious program has two positive outcomes - litter is prevented from entering the waterways and contributing to more plastic pollution in our oceans; and cleaning up our air and providing native habitat by establishing new green space.
My POP story is a bit unusual. My name is Jacob, and I have been living in Wilmington, NC for over a year. I have been working odd jobs for a long time, while also working my own small business. I stumbled on POP while I was touring the NC Aquarium. There were over a dozen NC STEM programs in attendance that day. I’m a bit shy, so I didn’t brush elbows with many of the representatives.
I had just been viewing the art gallery and made my way downstairs to admire the moray eel. I looked left and then looked right, and had found myself in front of big brown eyes and a smile that made me melt. She said that she was a POP representative, and she asked me about my company: TarotDex.com. For the next 15 minutes, she and I had a pissing contest about how cool the other person was. This girl told me all about POP, and what POP does in the Wilmington, NC area. I was sold. I signed up later that day to help with volunteering efforts. A few weeks passed, and I went to help POP with some basic landscape maintenance.
Full disclosure, I was praying that I could see that girl again. Unfortunately, she wasn’t there; however, I did get to meet Miss Bonnie. Bonnie is one hell of a nice lady. We worked for two and a half hours, and got the area cleaned up. The story gets a little comical, because some older volunteers had climbed the hill that we were landscaping. The volunteer found himself in a predicament when he learned that he could get up the hill, but couldn’t get down from the hill. So I had to pick up this old guy in my arms and carry him down. One watchful step after the next, we made it down. All I was thinking was, “damn! I bet this would have looked really cool if that girl was here!”
Hahahahaa–C’est la vie. I was really happy to have met Miss Bonnie, and I had a great time working with POP, and I plan to volunteer much more in the Spring of 2025. If you’re reading this, then I want you to know that I believe in what POP is doing for our community.
Salutations,
J.S.M.
I always was pleased to know the Plastic Ocean Project was a key partner in marine debris and/or marine education projects with N.C. Sea Grant. I have retired from Sea Grant but still follow these topics.
POP staff members work their hearts out to make an impact in the massive challenge of plastics in the ocean. POP is based in the southeastern part of the U. S. but this organization fights far beyond one area in the Atlantic, expanding their reach as far as possible to help advocate for environmental improvements to our oceans. POP generates interest in endless volunteers to help our world in this arena. This is not easy in any way, but the staff and volunteers join a unified team and fight the good fighr for the common good.
Plastic Ocean Project is a fantastic partner for the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and planting trees to enhance the quality of life and health for present and future generations in the Lower Cape Fear area. A representative from the Plastic Ocean Project serves as an ex officio member of our Board, and the organization and its volunteers often support our tree planting events and other initiatives. We're so grateful for their support!
I began working with POP as a college sophomore back in 2021. I have participated in a variety of events, but some of my favorites include tracking the tides while cleaning up Wrightsville beach, volunteering at the swim the loop event during fall, attending a private kayak cleanup with Kayla (POP's Lab Director), or cheering our community on while they completed the battleship marathon two years in a row! This nonprofit has not only provided me the opportunity to explore my interests and develop new hobbies while helping me navigate college, but it has provided me with a network of some of the kindest, unique, inspiring, and hard-working mentors I could ever ask for. I wouldn't be the same person today if I never stumbled across this position back in 2021, but since then I've been given the opportunity to explore the world of social media creation and management, work for two full years as a work study student and this semester I will be completing my second internship with POP!
Coordinating the Ocean Friendly Establishment (OFE) initiative has been truly inspiring. It's remarkable to witness the growth we’re achieving through our dedication to raising awareness about Plastics in Our Oceans. Our efforts have united community businesses along the NC Coast in a collaborative spirit, all working together to achieve the organization's commendable goals.
I interned with the Plastic Ocean Project (POP) from January- June 2023. My work involved helping facilitate an update of their strategic plan so I was able to interact with both POP staff and the Board of Directors. I am amazed by the work this group accomplishes. They are unique in their mix of scientific research and artistic storytelling and remain my go-to source for up and coming issues and solutions in the plastic pollution arena.
Plastic Ocean Project has been a terrific partner to work with over the past several years. Bonnie Monteleone and several members of her team have joined our cleanup expeditions in the Gulf of Alaska to train our team on microplastics sampling protocols and then use their expertise to analyze the samples we collect. This data is critical to gain a more complete understanding of the environmental impacts of ocean plastics in the Alaska region.
- Scott Farling, co-founder of Ocean Plastics Recovery Project
When I saw the movie title "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once," I thought it was a biopic of the work of Plastic Ocean Project and its director and founder Bonnie Monteleone. This organization and its growth are astounding. From its inception in a few small rooms on the UNCW campus, to a few larger rooms near the UNCW campus to a stellar lab facility at the Center for Marine Science at UNCW, the organization has spearheaded not only incredible research into the plastics and microplastics in our oceans and on our beaches, but has brought scores of people young and old to a new awareness of the plastics problem and a passion for doing something about it. The volunteers pour in for cleanups, microplastics collections, tree-planting activities, unique and fun fund raisers like the plastics fashion show and amazing galas with auctions. Almost every weekend offers an activity to take part in tackling pollution. Ms. Monteleone is an energizing force, whether amassing volunteers, visioning new ways to raise awareness through feature films and art exhibits, and rolling up her sleeves for any and all of the work, including ensuring that donations are carefully stewarded and their impact maximized. She has assembled a board and staff that reflect her enthusiasm and drive toward excellence. This is a one-of-a-kind non-profit.
POP supported several marine debris expeditions in Alaska in 2021-2022. They assisted with collection, and sampled the waters and shorelines for the presence of microplastics. They are doing important and difficult work on measuring the impairment of coastal ecosystems due to plastic pollution not just in their home state of North Carolina, but around the country.
POP is also making important contributions to the global narrative on the health of the ocean through art and film. Their mission is important and unique—few others in the nonprofit sector are doing anything like this, or nearly as well. I strongly endorse them for future funding.
I was on Bonnie's masters thesis committee at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), where she first introduced the idea of the "Plastic Ocean" to those in attendence. Then, it was in Hawaii in 2009 at Kamilo Beach (the plastic beach on the Island of Hawaii) seeing all of the plastic debris, that she started to formulate the Plastic Ocean Project (POP). Immediately after that she sailed with Charlie Moore on a 31-day trip from Hawaii to Long Beach CA, through the Great Garbage Patch. Her ideas 'gelled' on that cruise and the Plastic Ocean Project started. Since that time she has made her mark and POP has and continues to grow. Among others she has interviewed Jean-Michel Cousteau for her soon to be releasded documentary "If the Ocean Could Talk." She continues to add innovative projects to the POP repertoire, for example, fishing for plastics off the coast of North Carolina. Another innovative initiative is "Trees for Trash" where trash (including plastic trash) is collected for disposal at landfills and trees are planted around the landfill and other sites. She has taken her NGO a step further in purchasing a FTIR Spectrometer for determining which kind of plastic POP has been collected. Her outreach to young students, K- 12, has been exhaustive and I'm sure turned many children into "Plastic Police." She also continues to teach classes at the college level at UNCW. Over the years she has continued to expand the goal of POP and I'm convinced she has a myriad ideas for the future. Having talked to her recently she is looking to continue expanding POP. She has accomplished a lot since the founding in 2010. The future with new ideas to combat plastic pollution is bright.
I love the Plastic Ocean Project because they are focusing attention on some of the greatest threats to life on Earth. They take a practical and passionate approach while connecting people, inspiring action, and documenting critical data so we can make better choices. How great that young people (like my daughter) can get experience in a lab!
Decades before the American public knew that marine plastic pollution was even a problem, Bonnie Monteleone, the Founder and Executive Director of the Plastic Ocean Project (POP), was at the vanguard in related research and public education. Bonnie traveled the world's ocean and seen gyres of micro plastics first hand and she understood, early on, that such a complex problem of crisis portions required a creative communications strategy and an interdisciplinary approach. I have witnessed her presentations in many venues--including before the United States Congress--and I am always impressed by the way she clarifies scientific complexity; utilizes her original stunning artworks; and offers positive approaches to tackle this issue even when the outlook looks bleak. Plastic Ocean Project also does a wonderful job of integrating young people into its mission --offering alternatives to petroleum based plastics and holding several annual clean ups along beaches and river banks in North Carolina and beyond. Cleaning up our oceans is not Bonnie's "job"; it is her life. I believe in her and her terrific organization and have donated generously to the cause.
Karen McCall
I volunteered for a roadside cleanup with a friend, and POP made even cleaning up trash fun! They provided all the materials needed, disposed responsibly of the trash, let us know how we can stay involved, and were very enthusiastic about working toward a solution to the plastic pollution probelm! Such important work they're doing. They work with people of all ages and their passion is contagious.
I've had such a fantastic time with the Plastic Ocean Project this summer. I am currently a high school student interning in their lab and I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience. It isn't exactly easy finding research-related internship opportunities as a high schooler, but I'm so happy that I stumbled upon POP. Not only is the work I do here beneficial to my future, but I also know that I'm helping the environment in the process. Because of this, my internship has been incredibly gratifying. All of the people in this organization are so patient, kind, and accommodating to my schedule as well. I've learned so much in my time here, and I can't wait to learn even more as I continue to spend time in POP's lab.
I had the great opportunity to work with Bonnie at the previous Plastic Ocean project office during my spring 2022 semester at UNCW. In the class I participated in, called Marine Debris Field Research Studies, I was able to carry out very interesting and impactful research. Through one of my projects that Bonnie oversaw, I worked with a team of classmates to dissect dolphin digestive tracts in order to locate potential plastic particles within. We then brought the particles back to the lab and used the FTIR and ATR spectroscopy equipment at the Plastic Ocean Project lab to analyze the composition of the particles. This was an incredible opportunity that showed me both the value of laboratory research and how that can be applied towards understanding and impacting important environmental issues. Bonnie and POP’s work to combat the effects of plastic pollution in our waters and oceans is especially important because it incorporates so much scientific knowledge and consideration into the non-profit’s efforts. Supporting the Plastic Ocean Project’s efforts not only will help bring a brighter future for the environment but also allow other aspiring scientists to participate in the kind of work that I did, exposing them to the profound impact that environmental non profit work can have.
I had the unique opportunity to be part of the Plastic Ocean Project as an intern from the Czech Republic. Thanks to the shared theme of microplastics, I got to meet Mrs. Bonnie Monteleone, who is a very inspiring, passionate, and energetic person. The research in their laboratory, where they do great work, motivates many young people to care for our planet and brings important societal questions to the public space. Thanks to the Plastic Ocean Project team for their work and I wish them many more successes. Jan
This environmental organization is a favorite of mine, not only because of the importance of its mission and the passion of its leaders, but also because the culture of the organization is to try to support other worthy environmental organizations. So it is the exact opposite of too many silo environmental organizations.
The work POP is doing is SO vital & important. Everyone should be supporting. It's only our home...our planet on the line! Their research is incredibly valuable & the approach of using art to get peoples' attention & tell the story is genius. Founder Bonnie Monteleone & her team of volunteers are an asset to our community & our world
Imagine you have time travelled back 100 years and asked a fellow entrepreneur about the viability of an entirely new process that that can produce a product from which bottles can be made in the billions with a unit cost of a fraction of a penny. Your fellow entrepreneur shared your enthusiasm for the new product but asked you: "what is going to happen to all of those cheap bottles after they have been used?". Without hesitation you answered: "the bottles will be collected in bins to be later reused or repurposed"
Fast forward to the present day we know the reality is quite different as only a small fraction of plastic is reused or repurposed. Blind sighted by the success of your product not only did you not work on modifications to the product to make it more sustainable you encouraged the formation of governmental lobbies to ensure the unlimited production of that plastic into the future - shame on you !
Today, the job of finding ways of curbing plastic pollution for a large part is left to environmental scientists who are usually employed by non-profits such as Plastic Ocean Project. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to teach the younger generations how to be more responsible planet citizens than we have been, to show them we care about their future.
As a retired chemical engineer who worked for over 30 years to make water safer to drink around the world I am now proud to help the non-profit Plastic Ocean Project in any way that I can.
I love Plastic Ocean Project because of the work they do! They try and make a difference in the community by litter pick up, school out reach programs, tabling events, and most importantly the scientific work in their lab that helps identify how much plastic is in our waterways. I can't wait for the movie they are making to help explain the danger of plastic in our oceans!
I began volunteering with Plastic Ocean Project during the summer of 2021. As an avid paddle boarder, beachcomber, recycler & sailor, its mission of solving the problem of plastic pollution spoke to me. Also, a friend had the utmost praise for POP's director and urged me to get involved. (my friend was right-POP's director is amazing!) After participating in a few cleanups, I was hooked. Given its small but passionate staff, I was absolutely astonished by the number of things POP was accomplishing. As I learned more about several of the nonprofit's ongoing initiatives, I was even more impressed. It soon became apparent that this hardworking nonprofit had its heart in the right place and was solely focused on finding solutions. POP's problem-solving approach also makes sense to me in that it acknowledges that not all individuals recognize and relate to an issue in the same way. I think POP has wide appeal due to its three-pillar approach: "education through research, outreach through art and solutions through collaboration." This approach also enables POP to attract a wonderfully diverse team of volunteers. I'm pleased to say that a few of my fellow-volunteers have become close friends and that's a win-win! This summer, I was hired as a part-time staff member in the role of Communications-Fundraising & Membership. I'm a retiree with over 30 years of experience in Marketing-Public Relations & Copywriting and am anxious to bring this nonprofit to the attention of the rest of the world!
The Plastic Ocean Project started over 10 years ago with 4 or 5 dedicated people and has grown to a community of 100's who are educating people of all ages on the need to reduce our plastic use. The clean ups alone have helped reduce our oceans of refuse and plastic. Their education through art has been tremendous tool to teach our children on how to reduce and recycle and reuse.
I have been a volunteer with Plastic Ocean Project (POP) for about a year. At first, I was just going to help out with one fund-raising project. But as I became familiar with the mission of POP, and began to witness the passion of the staff and volunteers, the more dedicated I have become. The work that is being done by POP is essential to the future of our planet. Through education, outreach, art, and all the other ways in which POP is addressing this issue, the message is always one of action and hope.
I have worked with several non-profit organizations since I retired to Wilmington NC and have never before encountered the passion of Plastic Ocean Project. This passion extends from the Executive Director to volunteers like myself and it is contagious. The POP team not only extends themselves, but are selfless in helping other teams. Too often, I have witnessed territorial behavior amoung groups that should be working together, but I do not see that on this team. Their passions extends to supporting the other groups trying to make this a better community and world.
I was introduced to the Plastic Ocean Project in 2020 while working on an educational workshop for college students. Bonnie Monteleone, Founder of POP was part of the original group planning the workshop. I was instantly taken by the passion and drive she has for finding a solution to end plastic pollution. This organization never stops with its outreach, educational events, and cleanups
I was invited to join their board of directors in 2020. I have been on a number of boards but none with the commitment and dedication the POP team possesses. The diversity of
the member's skills and attributes make this a well-rounded nonprofit.
The current endeavor is a documentary "356" The story of a right whale, looking at being extinct, and the importance of saving a beautiful creator not only for because of its rarity but because of its contribution to climate change.
Whether it be picking up trash, doing a puppet show for kids, or creating a documentary of a story that needs to be told the POP volunteers and staff are tireless in their dedication to ending plastics in the ocean.
I initially became involved with Plastic Ocean Project (POP) after participating in a random, local roadside cleanup I saw advertised online. I recruited friends to participate with me, and after the cleanup, I found myself on their website and volunteering to coordinate the silent auction for the upcoming For the Ocean Gala. Immediately, I felt at home among the team of board members and volunteers. Whenever I am alongside POP Stars (as we like to call our team), there's never a shortage of enthusiasm, hope, and excitement. There's constant sharing of ideas and valuing each others' contributions. The passion, intelligence, integrity, and drive of this team never ceases to amaze me. They work to stay involved in a myriad of ways... They make business connections and community networks through Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. They engage directly with the residents of their community- children and adults alike- at events and farmers markets. They host events and fundraisers of their own in the at-large Wilmington community. They go out into their environment and host countless roadside/beachside/community-wide cleanups week after week. They have individual chapters on college campuses throughout the state. They create art, conduct research, and educate anyone willing to listen. POP is always working to innovate, improve, and inspire hope. I am honored to be a part of such an incredible organization.
I am currently a senior at UNCW, and getting involved with POP through work study has been one of the best parts of my college career. When I started in 2020, I was struggling to get experience during the pandemic, and Bonnie really took me under her wing and immediately got me involved with a project studying microplastics in river samples as a collaboration study with NC State. I was able to work with some other great volunteers and interns to develop a protocol, get experience in the lab, and eventually operate a microscopic FTIR. Doing this research and helping at cleanup and planting events got me exposed the science and outreach that POP really emphasizes. I truly believe that without these experiences I had through POP, I would not be where I am today. Bonnie wrote me a letter of recommendation for an internship I got doing sea turtle rehabilitation in Florida, which I would not have been selected for otherwise. The best part about POP is the passion that radiates from everyone involved. Bonnie is so dedicated to students and is always willing to find a project for anyone. I am so thankful to be part of this organization!
I have been volunteering at the Plastic Ocean Project since last year, and I love it! I, along with Rose from the Plastic Ocean Project, planned and organized the Trash'n Fash'n Show, and we had a great time working alongside Bonnie Monteleone. We are planning on organizing the Trash'n Fash'n again this year, and we are looking forward to working with others within the Plastic Ocean Project to make this show an even better one!
I graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in marine biology and another in environmental science. I had the most difficult time finding job opportunities afterward related to my fields of study. Throughout the next couple of years, I had random jobs including food service and house cleaning. During the Covid 19 pandemic, I was unable to continue my house cleaning job so I took that time off and decided to work on getting back to my passion of environmental conservation and restoration. I began volunteering with Plastic Ocean Project in December of 2020 through their monthly HWY 421 cleanup and through this event I met the executive director, Bonnie Monteleone. When I asked about other opportunities with POP, she offered me an internship position working in the lab on a research project focused on microplastics in river samples. After my internship was completed, I was offered a position as a laboratory technician. Today, I am the research laboratory director of Plastic Ocean Project. I am grateful to Bonnie for giving me the opportunity to prove myself and providing an environment for my skills and knowledge to grow. I have been given many enriching opportunities including traveling to Alaska to remove marine debris from the coast, being featured in multiple documentaries, and speaking on our research at the North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium. Thank you Plastic Ocean Project for giving this volunteer a chance!
I came across Plastic Ocean Project (POP) as a work study student who attends the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With a major in marine biology, this non-profit organization has opened my eyes to all of the issues the ocean faces, let alone the environment. I love volunteering, and our members are beyond amazing. Bonnie Monteleone along with the other smart women in STEM that I work with are huge inspirations to me. POP is always open to new ideas and is accepting of everyone. Plastic is a huge problem that humans create, and one thing that I love about POP is that rather than focusing on the negatives, we focus on the positive mini goals in the near future. I am more than honored to work here and I look forward to what the future has in store, so come check out POP!
I have worked with the Plastic Ocean Project as a volunteer/intern and recently became a staff member, since fall of 2021. The Plastic Ocean Project is a compassionate non-profit who is dedicated to reducing and removing plastic from the environment. The Plastic Ocean Project offers a wide variety of ways for individuals to get involved with finding solutions and advocating for the plastic pollution problem. Their lab is constantly filled with individuals ranging from middle schoolers to college aged students working on a multitude of diverse research projects. This organization has brought awareness and education to local companies, groups, and individuals through their numerous outreach and cleanup events.
POP is a great organization! They are passionate in the science as well as education. I started working with them last year, and it was the best decision I’ve made! I have been doing an independent study with them working on a research project, which has been a great experience!
I've volunteered for POP a few times now and it's so worth it! They're an amazing organization full of people who care deeply about the plastic pollution problem in our oceans. They organize tons of beach cleanups which are always fun and fulfilling to go to. They should definitely get more recognition for all the good they do.
Plastic Ocean Project has been a wonderful foundation for my exploration of marine debris research and passion for ocean advocacy as a high school student. I first became involved with Plastic Ocean Project as a Sophomore in high school when I joined my school's chapter of the organization. My school's chapter is made possible by the generosity of the founders and the mentorship given to me as the current club President. I am currently an intern at Plastic Ocean Project where I am able to gain experience conducting microplastics research and operating various laboratory machines. Each member of the POP staff is extremely welcoming and willing to take the time to educate, support, and encourage me during my time inside the office and outside of it.
I got involved with Plastic Ocean Project in August of 2021 after meeting its co-founder and Executive Director. Her passion for her work is palpable and contagious. Noticing that she was doing everything herself with a limited budget, I set out to do all I could to help her, her team, and grow the budget.
This non-profit does such amazing work bringing the abuse to our environment to light using education, research in the labs, collaboration with corporations, both large and small, non-profit and for profit, and through art, some of which remains on tour throughout much of the year.
The short film that promotes our full length documentary was accepted into 6 film festivals with the most recent screening being at the prestigious Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA. Stay tuned for the premier of "If the Ocean Could Talk: A Voice for the North Atlantic". Our goal is to have the premier on World Oceans Day in June of 2023.
Working alongside the Executive Director has put me in contact with people I could never imagine I might meet and converse. She is a true "Rock Star" in the field, being known and respected globally.
Our Trees4Trash initiative is one of our most popular and visible outreach programs. For every 25 pounds of trash collected, we plant a tree. We have planted thousands of trees.
In one of our labs, we have FTIR spectrometer. There are very few of these in independent research labs. With it, we analyze what we find in our waters and determine what compounds are contained therein. The beauty of this is that it allows us to determine where the compounds originated so we can help work on the necessary steps to keep such compounds out of our waters in the future. We have analyzed samples for Duke University, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina River Keepers, just to name a few. We also have a solar simulator so we can analyze how the compounds break down in sunlight. We also allow budding scientists as young as the fifth grade to come and work in our labs.
Our outreach includes puppet shows on elementary schools, tabling at live concerts as well as public and private events. I could go on but will not. Visit us at PlasticOceanProject.org and find the place that might excite your passion, as it did mine. We could surely put more hands and resources to good use.
The Plastic Ocean Project is an amazing nonprofit! They are 100% dedicated to their mission of utilizing awareness to aid in plastic elimination in the environment. I am amazed by the abundance of cleanups and educational events they host, even though they are a small team of employees. Their research lab is constantly working on numerous projects with many accompanying partners to make new scientific discoveries every day!
I have worked with the Plastic Ocean Project as a volunteer and more recently, a staff member, since 2013. POP has always been a great team to work with! Over the last ten years, the Plastic Ocean Project has noticeably increased awareness of the plastic pollution issue in southeastern North Carolina and beyond. POP offers so many ways for folks to get involved from research to art to outreach and more. I would definitely recommend inquiring about volunteer and internship opportunities at www.plasticoceanproject.org/volunteer!
I've been a volunteer with Plastic Ocean Project for 2+ years with a multitude of events and have had so much fun collaborating with the POP team. You can guarantee there will be a lot of laughs and good times when you volunteer for them!
I encourage you to visit their website (https://www.plasticoceanproject.org) to learn about their current initiatives through research, art and education to take on the fight against plastic pollution in our oceans!
Plastic is such a part of our lives that most people never question it, but Plastic Ocean Project is helping people see plastic in a new light - the problems it's causing on land, in the sea and to our own health. Their work spans scientific inquiry, educational awareness, hand on clean ups and artistic expression and is inspirational in all of these areas.
Plastic Ocean Project, Inc (POP) started in 2008 as a graduate student thesis project in Wilmington, NC. After traveling nearly 10,000 nm and witnessing the proliferation of plastic in some of the most remote places on the planet, a small group of volunteers work together to form the much needed non-profit who's mission is to combat plastic pollution. POP is the first to be founded on the east coast solely focusing on marine plastics through scientific research, using art to educate the masses on the devastating effects plastics have on marine life, and collaborating with industry wanting to reduce those impacts. POP has grown in number, enlisting ambassadors around the country creating these changes we want to see in the world, working with charter fishermen to collect ocean trash, restaurants to reduce giving out plastic straws, and innovators that turn plastic waste into a resource. Once we focus on innovating materials that have an end of life function, we will create the much needed circular economy where nothing is "wasted."