AUSMAP

The Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP), a nationwide citizen science initiative. A project by Total Environment Centre.

21/08/2026

Citizen science makes the world go round! Really! 🌏🔬

This National Science Week, we’re taking a moment to celebrate citizen science and unpack why it’s such a powerful part of the AUSMAP methodology, helping us collect important microplastic data at a national scale.

Feeling overwhelmed by plastic pollution and want to do something about it?
Citizen science!

Curious about the world around you?
Citizen science!

Want to meet more people who care about our environment?
Citizen science!

From collecting samples to identifying microplastics and building our national dataset, citizen scientists are helping us better understand where microplastic pollution is accumulating across Australia.

So, to all the citizen scientists out there, thank you! Your time, curiosity and willingness to get involved mean more than you know. 💙

13/08/2026

With over 1,300 microplastic samples collected from over 450 shorelines across the country, we rely on incredible volunteers to collect, count and sort samples to add to our microplastic Hotspot Map!

Do you want to see how many microplastics are in your local area? Check out the Hotspot Map on our website and see if a citizen scientist has surveyed a beach near you! 🌊🔍💙

05/08/2026

AUSMAP is proud to be featured in the new documentary The Plastic Country an investigative journey following ocean advocate and filmmaker Kal Glanznig as he uncovers the scale of plastic pollution across Australia.

The film follows organisations, communities and individuals driving change across the country. From the remote shorelines of Arnhem Land, where the local Dhimurru Rangers share their experiences of plastic pollution, to the shores of Sydney, where AUSMAP’s Tayla Shaw takes Kal to Manly Cove to reveal just how significant microplastic pollution can be on Australian shorelines. The Plastic Country shines a light on one of Australia’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The film’s call to action includes signing an important petition by Kal and Boomerang Alliance “From Promise To Policy: Stop Packaging Waste & Plastic Pollution.” The petition which now has over 10,000 signatures calls for increased extended producer responsibility, stricter packaging laws and a faster shift to reuse. Sign the petition here: https://www.theplasticcountry.com

🌊 Watch the trailer and sign up to host a screening in your community via the link above.

Minderoo Foundation Surfers for Climate Take 3 for the Sea Sea Shepherd Australia Boomerang Alliance The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) Taronga Zoo

03/08/2026

University of Technology Sydney have partnered with AUSMAP, and other industry leaders including The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) OceanEarth Foundation and OzFish to relase an Australian-first white paper combining research and industry to explore what microplastics could mean for organisations across all sectors of our economy.

Four findings from the research:
1. Microplastics are no longer just an environmental issue but are increasingly linked to health, regulatory, operational, reputational and supply chain risks.

2. Many industries are contributors to microplastic pollution. Sources include personal care products, tyre wear, synthetic textiles, construction materials and industrial processes.

3. The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. Expectations around measurement, disclosure and accountability are beginning to emerge globally and are likely to influence Australian organisations in the near future.

4. Businesses are still reluctant to act and are waiting on greater regulatory certainty. However, early steps such as identifying exposure and exploring alternatives can help organisations avoid playing catch-up later.

Want to learn more? Join the event this Wednesday, which includes an important panel discussion with industry leaders:

📅 Wed, 5 Aug, 4pm - 7pm AEST
📍 UTS Business School (Building 8), Ultimo NSW, Australia
👉 Register here: [https://events.humanitix.com/microplastics-preparing-for-australias-next-regulatory-shift](https://events.humanitix.com/microplastics-preparing-for-australias-next-regulatory-shift)

31/07/2026

Day 5 of Microplastic Week: Building Knowledge, Inspiring Action!

At AUSMAP, we believe collecting data is only part of the solution. Turning it into action and sharing knowledge is what drives change.

Over the past year, we’ve had the opportunity to take part in webinars, podcasts and TV segments, sharing the importance of citizen science, explaining what microplastics are, and discussing practical ways we can all help reduce microplastics in our homes.

Swipe through to explore some of our recent appearances and follow the link below to watch them in full.

Ps. See Dr Scott on the Sunrise morning show tomorrow morning at 8:40am!

What microplastic topics would you like to learn
more about? Let us know in the comments!

Links:
Ocean Protect Webinar: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eeo3FSVByqg&t=3584s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eeo3FSVByqg&t=3584s)
NSW Marine Estate: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGTGZx5Bqgk&list=PLs5bUyTM7_gipvoPJye176ZDuL_0E-KRv&index=2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGTGZx5Bqgk&list=PLs5bUyTM7_gipvoPJye176ZDuL_0E-KRv&index=2)
Citizen Science Podcast: [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on/id1617248891?i=1000778525940](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on/id1617248891?i=1000778525940)
Sunrise: [https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPf1maHLT4&si=XXw8q0dpyzrP6TFd](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPf1maHLT4&si=XXw8q0dpyzrP6TFd)
ABC 7:30 report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PepycBqc_uU

30/07/2026

Day 4 of Microplastic Week: Pellets (Nurdles)

Pellets, also known as nurdles, are the building blocks of plastic products.

They are considered a point source of microplastic pollution, originating directly from the plastics industry and, unfortunately, ending up on shorelines around the world.

Since 2018, AUSMAP has been recording the presence of nurdles on Australian shorelines, with pellets found in 44% of all AUSMAP samples.

🔍 Swipe to learn more about Australia’s nurdle hotspots, discovered thanks to the amazing work of AUSMAP volunteer groups such as Bottle Top Hill Eco Surf Australia and Rockingham Beach Cleans at Minim Cove and Georges Riverkeeper in Sydney

AUSMAP would also like to acknowledge the amazing work of programs like Tangaroa Blue and Chemistry Australia with Operation Clean Sweep, Nurdle The Great Nurdle Hunt and Sea Shepherd Australia which work to monitor, advocate for, and prevent plastic pellet feedstock loss!

We hope to see governments introduce stronger regulations to prevent plastic pellet loss, with the goal of one day seeing zero nurdles in our environment!

Have you found a nurdle on your local beach?

29/07/2026

Day 3 of Microplastic Week: Synthetic Turf/Grass!⁠
👀Synthetic turf sporting fields, parks, and gardens are popping up more and more around us. ⁠
👟The synthetic blades of grass are easily distributed by shoes and water, washing into stormwater drains and ending up in our AUSMAP samples.⁠
🫣Our recent NSW Microplastics Report showed a concerning pattern in this microplastic type over the past 5 years, one sample site seeing a ten-fold increase!⁠
👆️Swipe for a breakdown of the growing presence of this concerning microplastic in our database.

28/07/2026

Day 2 of Microplastic Week: Hard Plastics Fragments⁠
They're everywhere! ⁠
Hard fragments are the most common microplastics found in our AUSMAP shoreline surveys.🔍️⁠
They begin as everyday plastic products that break apart once they enter the environment.🧴⁠
Over time, these fragments accumulate in our waterways and coastlines, where they’re incredibly difficult to remove.🌊⁠
Swipe to find out more about this plastic type and why they matter!

27/07/2026

Day 1 of Microplastic Week: Foam!😶‍🌫️⁠
Foam is a common term that includes expanded polystyrene (EPS). ⁠
We all know the stuff- it’s lightweight, insulating and buoyant, but breaks up into microplastic really easily. 🫧⁠
Poor management of EPS results in microplastic pollution entering our environment, where it can persist for decades and harm our ecosystems.🐟️⁠
⁠
The main sources of EPS include:⁠
👷Construction - primarily used as insulation with limited regulation of waste and microplastics generated ⁠
📦️Packaging - used to protect heavy goods and transport food.⁠
🛟Pontoons and floatation devices.⁠
⁠
Swipe for a deeper breakdown (or should I say break-UP?) of this problematic plastic!

26/07/2026

It's Microplastic Week!
These tiny plastics really are too big to ignore! 👀
Here we have the microplastics vs where they came from... Clovelly Beach, Bidjigal and Gadigal Country, Sydney 🌊
This sample was taken by Dr Natasha in March and is currently being processed by amazing volunteers in the lab, no surprise it's a big one! 😅
Stay tuned for a breakdown of the most problematic types of microplastics found in AUSMAP samples this week 🔍

Address

Surry Hills
Sydney, NSW
2000

Telephone

+61417672979

Website

http://www.ausmap.org/

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