Melissa Walker
Recently, I had the chance to participate in a beach cleanup. The team was enthusiastic, working together to pick up larger pieces of trash—plastic bottles, straws, and discarded nets. But as I watched everyone focus on the visible plastic waste, I couldn't help but wonder: What about the microplastics? These tiny plastic fragments are often overlooked, even though they're just as harmful to marine life and the environment.
It made me realize that while beach cleanups are incredibly effective at tackling big, apparent pieces of plastic, they often miss the smaller, more insidious problem—microplastics. So, what can we do to address this hidden issue alongside the bigger cleanup efforts?
The Limitations of Traditional Cleanups
When we think of beach cleanups, we often picture larger visible plastics scattered across the sand. Picking up these larger items is satisfying—they're easy to spot and remove. But even after clearing away the obvious trash, something far more subtle remains: microplastics.
These tiny plastic fragments, often smaller than a grain of rice and measuring less than 5 millimeters, blend into the sand and water, making them easy to overlook. Unlike larger debris, they can't be plucked out with a litter grabber and slip through traditional cleanups' cracks. Yet, microplastics are just as harmful—if not more so.
Marine animals often mistake them for food, leading to internal damage, reproductive issues, and seafood contamination. A study published in Frontiers in Toxicology found microplastics in pink shrimp, black rockfish, and chinook salmon, showing how deeply this pollution has infiltrated the food chain. These fragments don't just pass through; they can carry toxic chemicals that accumulate in marine life and ultimately end up on our plates.
To make matters worse, microplastics don't simply wash away. They break down into smaller particles over time, embedding themselves deeper into ecosystems and making cleanup efforts even more challenging. While collecting big pieces of plastic is crucial, tackling microplastic pollution requires a much broader approach.
The Challenge of Tiny Pollutants
Microplastics don't just sit on the surface, waiting to be picked up—they mix into the sand, slip between grains, and settle deeper with every wave and gust of wind. Studies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) research on microplastics in the marine environment show that these particles can penetrate deeper layers of sand, making them even harder to detect and clean. Many of these microplastics are smaller than a grain of salt, which makes them nearly invisible and difficult to remove.
Over time, these microplastics can break down into even smaller particles, eventually becoming nanoplastics. These particles are so tiny they can enter cells and cross biological barriers, posing even greater challenges for removal and raising concerns about their impact on health.
But while they may seem impossible to clean, some innovative efforts prove otherwise.
Innovative Cleanup Methods for Microplastics
While traditional beach cleanups are effective at tackling larger plastic debris, addressing microplastics requires more specialized techniques and equipment. Since these tiny fragments slip through fingers (and most cleanup methods), some researchers, organizations, and community groups think outside the box.
Filtration and Sieving Devices
While manually collecting microplastics is hardly practical, specialized sieving tools are filling in the gaps where grueling human work leaves off. Beach cleanup crews, for instance, now rely on fine-mesh sieves that function as giant strainers, removing the tiny plastic particles while leaving behind the sand and bigger natural materials.
These sieves are particularly effective on beaches with loose, sandy sediment, where microplastics can become deeply embedded in the sand.
Along with sieves, some teams are using vacuum-like devices that be used to suck up microplastics across beach sediment. Developed to target plastic quantities while keeping the surrounding area undisturbed, these devices will prove helpful.
By manipulating the suction levels and using thin filters, they can extract microplastics from the sand while not taking huge amounts of natural material. This technique enables microplastics to be collected more effectively so that only the pollutants are removed, not the ecosystem.
Magnetic Cleanup Methods
Not all microplastics are magnetic, but some have iron-based additives, allowing them to be extracted with the help of iron filings and magnets. Researchers are exploring this technique for mass application and are hopeful that a positive, affordable solution can be achieved to decontaminate beaches without damaging the ecosystem.
Its effectiveness and environmental impact are still uncertain, and some experts suggest that, for now, community cleanup efforts may be a more practical approach to addressing microplastics on beaches.
Electrostatic and Water-Based Separation
There are some interesting methods scientists are testing to remove microplastics from sand, and one of them is electrostatic separation. The method involves first applying an electrostatic charge to plastic particles to attract and then lift them from the beach while leaving the natural sediments behind.
In this case, water-based separation takes advantage of the fact that plastic bits are less dense than sand: in a mixture of the two, the lighter plastic floats to the surface and can be skimmed off easily, while the heavier sand sinks. These techniques have shown potential in laboratory settings but have not yet been widely implemented in real-world beach cleanups.
Success Stories: Microplastic-Focused Beach Cleanup Efforts
Photo Courtesy of Marc Ward, Executive Director, Sea Turtles Forever
Sea Turtles Forever
In Seaside, Oregon, the conservation group Sea Turtles Forever is making waves with its innovative approach to microplastic removal. Volunteers have been using specially designed screen filtration systems to sift through beach sand, effectively removing small plastic fragments often missed during traditional cleanups. These fine-mesh devices are particularly effective in capturing microplastics that tend to blend into the sand, making them difficult to spot and remove by hand.
Unlike other methods that rely on large-scale vacuum systems that pump massive amounts of water and often kill many of the organisms living in the sand, Sea Turtles Forever’s approach is more delicate and environmentally conscious. Their system is work-intensive, but it’s gentle on the environment—using no fuel or water and leaving the beach in pristine condition. The fine-mesh filtration is designed to carefully sift through the sand without harming living organisms, ensuring the natural beach ecosystem remains intact.
The group's work doesn’t stop at the Oregon coast. Sea Turtles Forever has shipped their specialized filtration system to conservation groups around the globe, including locations in Canada, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, the Bahamas, and Europe, helping to expand their efforts worldwide.
Hōʻola One Machine
Photo Courtesy of Jean-David Lantagne, Co-Founder, Hoola One Technologies
The Hōʻola One machine, aptly named to mean "bring back to life" or "restore sands," was meticulously constructed in 2018 by 12 mechanical engineering students from Sherbrooke University in Quebec, Canada. Developed in consultation with Hawai'i Wildlife Fund co-founder and research director emeritus Bill Gilmartin, the machine was initially designed at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and deployed on Oʻahu to address microplastic pollution on its beaches.
Operating along the coastline near Kamilo Point in Ka‘ū on Hawai'i Island, the Hōʻola One machine utilizes a buoyancy-based separation process. Materials such as plastics, sand, wood, and debris are vacuumed into a water-filled container; microplastics float while sand sinks, allowing the machine to remove the microplastics and return clean sand to the beach. This method enables the recovery of plastic particles as small as 50 micrometers (0.05 millimeters), surpassing the efficiency of existing technologies.
With the assistance of thousands of volunteers, the Hōʻola One machine has been operational for over two decades, successfully extracting more than 700,000 pounds of plastic from the ocean. This endeavor exemplifies a broader commitment to restoring the health of Hawaii's coastlines. It not only demonstrates the availability of tools capable of cleaning microplastics at microscopic levels but also highlights that, with appropriate technology, cleanups can extend beyond larger, visible pieces of plastic debris.
Enhancing Beach Cleanups
Beach cleanups are a great way to pitch in, but it's time to step up our game! Here's how you can help:
Use finer mesh sieves: These nifty tools help capture even the tiniest microplastics that often slip through traditional cleanup methods. When gathering litter, it's worth taking that extra step to filter out the hidden culprits!
Partner with local organizations: Look for groups experimenting with innovative microplastic removal techniques—whether through special filters or even experimental bioremediation methods. Collaboration boosts impact!
Educate fellow volunteers: It's not just about picking up the obvious pieces of trash—microplastics are trickier to spot. Take the opportunity to teach your cleanup crew about microplastics, where they come from, and how we can all watch them while cleaning.
Support BEBOT in Coastal Cleanups: Have you heard of BEBOT? This innovative robot transforms coastal conservation by identifying and removing buried waste before breaking it into microplastics. Equipped with advanced technology, BEBOT helps detect trash hidden beneath the surface, preventing further environmental harm. Support this effort by raising awareness or partnering with organizations using this technology in cleanups!
Conclusion: Tackling Microplastics from All Angles
While hands-on cleanup efforts are vital, we must push for systemic change. Support policies that cut plastic production and choose reusable items to lower your plastic footprint. Every action, big or small, contributes to a cleaner planet. For ongoing updates and ways to get involved, the Plastic Pollution Coalition is a great resource to stay informed.
But it’s not just about what we pick up on the beach. Microplastics are infiltrating our air, food, and everyday products. To better understand their widespread impact and how we can reduce their presence, take a look at Microplastics in Our Lives.
Citations
Traylor, S. D., Granek, E. F., Duncan, M., & Brander, S. M. (2024, December 23). From the ocean to our kitchen table: Anthropogenic particles in the edible tissue of U.S. West Coast seafood species. Frontiers in Toxicology, 6, Article 1469995. https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2024.1469995
NOAA Office of Response and Restoration. (2015, June 12). How beach cleanups help keep microplastics out of garbage patches. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved from https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/how-beach-cleanups-help-keep-microplastics-out-garbage-patches.html
Williams, A. (2024, April). Community beach clean-ups go high-tech. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-community-beach-ups-high-tech.html
Smith, J., Brown, A., & Johnson, P. (2020). Evaluation of electrostatic separation of microplastics from mineral-rich environmental samples. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 112. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00112
Maui Now. (2025, February 16). Marine debris machine travels to Oʻahu to bring health back to impacted sands. Maui Now. https://mauinow.com/2025/02/16/marine-debris-machine-travels-to-o%CA%BBahu-to-bring-health-back-to-impacted-sands/
Seaside Sustainability. (n.d.). BeBot: Revolutionizing coastal conservation to combat the dangers of waterway waste. Retrieved from https://www.seasidesustainability.org/post/bebot-revolutionizing-coastal-conservation-to-combat-the-dangers-of-waterway-waste