During this charitable time of year . . .

All of us at Plastic Ocean Project (POP) are deeply grateful for your continued support of our mission to attain science-based solutions to the plastic pollution crisis that inspire all to make informed choices to improve human and environmental health.

Your donations from 2023's GivingTuesday campaign were crucial in repairing our research instrumentation (u-FTIR) after it was damaged due to a power surge and humidity issues. Since then, your support has allowed us to complete a funded study through A New Earth Project and be featured in their upcoming documentary, as well as take on three new collaborations with highly notable organizations such as NC State University, Oceanic Flux Program, and Ocean Plastics Recovery Project. We have also provided hands-on research experience to 31 students through free internships, our UNCW Marine Debris course, and paid work-study opportunities.

As we fight the ever-rising tides of ocean plastic pollution, POP continues to research engaging and collaborative programs to attack the crises from all angles. The Berkley Conservation Institute (BCI), based in California, began a monofilament recycling program in 1990 that has recycled over 9 million miles of fishing line! This initiative tackles one of the most dangerous and deadly threats to marine life—entanglement. These improperly discarded monofilament fishing lines are most often made of a strong plastic, usually nylon, and can linger in our waters for up to 600 years. This also poses a challenge to boaters; fishing lines that get wrapped up in boat propellers can leave boaters stranded and open to the elements.

Because of the program's success, we are excited to announce our partnership with BCI to launch the North Carolina Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (NCMRRP) covering the East Coast. Thanks to Boy Scout Troop 232's inspiring efforts, we've already installed two recycling receptacles at Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier, but there's so much more to do!

From now until GivingTuesday on December 3rd, we're imploring you to help us reach our goal of $25,000 to jump start this program in the right direction with the most impact.

Your donation will:

Fund the building and installation of monofilament recycling stations at fishing piers and bait shops = $10,000
Fund the manpower needed to recover the monofilament lines from the receptacles and remove any weights and hooks = $10,000
Educate communities about the importance of proper fishing line disposal = $5,000
Prevent devastating entanglements that harm and kill marine life = PRICELESS

You will be added to our website as an acknowledgement of your support and will be provided a personal tax deductible thank you letter via email.

With an ocean of gratitude,

Bonnie Monteleone, Executive Director/Co-founder

Emily Mulvihill, Executive Director Assistant/Education & Events

Kayla West, Research & Communications

Marisa Marzilli, Funding & Development

and the rest of the POP Team!

2024 GivingTuesday

Support Plastic Ocean Project this GivingTuesday

Team Members