Title: Quantifying Riverine Plastic Pollution using Participatory Science and Trash Traps

Description: From 2021 to 2024, North Carolina Waterkeeper organizations installed 21 floating traps in streams across the state to capture riverine trash. Over this time period, these traps have captured more than 150,000 pieces of trash, most of which are plastic. This talk explores the findings from this incredible dataset, the challenges and opportunities of using trash traps to capture and collect data on riverine litter, and policy solutions.

Speaker bio: Nancy Lauer is a lecturing fellow and staff scientist with the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic. Since joining Duke Law in 2018, Dr. Lauer has worked on a wide range of environmental policy matters including drinking water quality, children’s exposure to toxic chemicals, hazardous waste remediation, and single-use plastics. Recently, she has worked with non-profits, Riverkeepers, and the City of Durham on measures to reduce plastic pollution through stormwater controls and reduction policies. Dr. Lauer received her PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment and her Bachelor of Science in Geology from the College of William and Mary.