The Rapids:

US EPA's Trash Free Waters Monthly Update

December 2020

https: / / www, epa. gov/trash-free-waters

Introduction

Hello all,

We hope you had a wonderful holiday. On November 16-17, EPA hosted the America Recycles
Innovation Fair and Summit (content available until December 17th, registration required).
Along with virtual vendor booths and online presentations, EPA discussed the draft National
Recycling Strategy and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the National
Recycling Goal to increase the national recycling rate to 50% bv 2030.

You may also want to peruse Oceana's recently released report "Choked. Strangled.
Drowned: The Plastics Crisis Unfolding in Our Oceans." The report provides a
thorough analysis of the negative wildlife impacts associated with marine litter as well as helpful
recommendations for how to address this issue globally.

Please continue to share any upcoming events with Layne Marshall rmarshall.lavne@epa.gov')
so that the Trash Free Waters team can advertise these opportunities with all of you on the first
Monday of each month.

Enjoy the final Rapids issue of 2020!

Romell Nandi
US EPA

Trash Free Waters Program Lead

EPA Announcements
America Recycles Innovation Fair

The 2nd Annual America Recycles Innovation Fair took place on November 16th. It showcased
more than 40 innovators from across the recycling system via a virtual and interactive platform
demonstrating their state-of-the-art products, services, outreach, and technologies. To read a
press release about the event, click here.

America Recycles Summit

The November 17th America Recycles Summit featured opportunities to virtually attend panel
discussions with public and private sector speakers about the future of recycling. During the
event, US EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the new national goal of increasing
the recycling rate to 50% by 2030. To read a press release about the event, click here. Speakers
from Dow Chemical, the American Chemistry Council, Berry Global, Circulate Capital, and the
Alliance to End Plastic Waste discussed the recently released "U.S. Federal Strategy for
Addressing the Global Issue of Marine Litter" in a dedicated Summit breakout session.

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In case you missed them, watch the Summit presentation recordings and view the Innovation
Fair exhibits until December 17th here.

Pilot Project with D.C. Government Kicks Off

The EPA's Trash Free Waters Program is partnering with the D.C. government on a Curbside
Disposal Education Pilot, seeking to reduce unintentional littering associated with Curbside
Collection Day. In early November, 8,000 stickers were distributed to target neighborhoods in
the District to help educate residents about proper disposal techniques. Take a look at some of
the social media messaging associated with the campaign here and here.

US EPA Administrator Wheeler Speaks Up About Marine Litter

US EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler wrote an opinion piece in the Panama City News Herald
in mid-November, stating "EPA is an international leader that other nations look to for guidance
on addressing marine litter, and we recognize international partnerships are vital to solving this
global problem." He also highlighted the role of the Trash Free Waters Program in
implementing successful on-the-ground projects which can then be expanded upon and
adopted in other nations. Read the full article here.

Save Our Seas 2.0 Bill

The Save Our Seas 2.0 bill, sponsored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dan
Sullivan (R-AK), focuses on addressing marine litter and plastic pollution. On December i!t, the
Senate agreed to the House amendment of the original Senate bill by unanimous consent. The
bill will now go to the President. The bill includes a number of initiatives, programs, and studies
that collectively address and examine the marine litter issue domestically as well as enhancing
the United States' engagement internationally. Amongst the programs the bill creates is a new
national Trash Free Waters grant program (authorized at $10 million per year for Federal fiscal
years 2021-25). The bill also calls for a public EPA strategy for improving post-consumer
materials management and water management.

US EPA Region 4 Regional Administrator Touts the TFW Program

US EPA Regional Administrator Mary Walker highlighted the TFW Program in a guest column
in the Pensacola News Journal, stating "Since the Trash Free Waters program began, EPA has
awarded $5.35 million for 14 projects in communities across the Southeast. Some remarkable
results have been achieved, including the removal of over 24,500 pounds of trash from Gulf
waters and watersheds." Read the full article here.

Funding Opportunities

Protecting Marinas and Inland Waterways Via Stormwater Tech

Thanks to a new grant program sponsored by Dart Container Corporation and UltraTech
International, Inc. Dart will provide up to $100,000 in grants ($4,000 per qualifying
organization) for the purchase and installation of UltraTech's patented Ultra-Drain Guard
stormwater management products, which prevent litter, oil and sediment from entering
waterways via storm drains. Apply for this funding opportunity via a form here.

NFWF Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program RFP

This opportunity funds small but impactful projects that advance water quality improvements
and engage communities on water quality and habitat restoration opportunities. Program
priorities include restoration, environmental outreach, education and training, community
partnerships, measurable results, and sustainability. Approximately $1.5 million in project
funding is available. Proposals are due January 28, 2021 and awards are expected to be

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announced next summer. Watch last month's applicant webinar recording and learn more about
the application process here.

NOAA RESTORE Science Program: Planning for Actionable Science

The NOAA RESTORE Science Program will provide natural resource managers, researchers,
and other stakeholders with funding to plan a research project that informs a specific
management decision impacting natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico. $2.5 million is
expected to be made available, with minimum and maximum individual award amounts at
$25,000 and $125,000, respectively. The application period closes on December 15, 2020. For
updates, check here.

USDA's Solid Waste Management Grant Program

The USDA's Solid Waste Management (SWM) Grant Program was established to assist
communities through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients.
Qualified organizations will receive SWM grant funds to reduce or eliminate pollution of water
resources in rural areas and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural
areas. The estimated total program funding is $4 million. Applications are due December 31,
2020. Read more about the funding opportunity, "SWMFY2021" on Grants.gov here.

Alliance to End Plastic Waste: Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste is now accepting project proposals on the implementation of
infrastructure to eliminate leakage of plastic waste through collection and containment. This
RFP prioritizes support to cities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The first window for
submission of Concept Papers closes December 31, 2020. To submit your proposal, please visit
the Plastic Free Waste Cities page.

NOAA Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Grants

The NOAA Marine Debris Program's FY2021 North America Marine Debris Prevention and
Removal grant competition is open and soliciting proposals for review. NOAA will award up to
$5 million in FY21 to fund marine debris prevention and removal projects in the U.S.-Mexico
and U.S.-Canada border areas. Applications are due before midnight on January 29, 2021.
Please follow all submission instructions outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity
published at Grants.gov here.

KAITEKI Challenge Program RFA

Greentown Labs requests applications from innovative startups who are reimaging proteins,
plastics, or packaging. They are interested in startups with post Proof of Concept solutions in
recycling technologies and processes that are more energy and resource efficient, recycling
design and systems which improve recyclability of waste plastic and help shift consumer
attitudes, and innovative management systems that help facilitate a circular economy.
Completed applications are due February 10, 2021. Learn more about the opportunity here.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Grant Program (B-WET)

Chesapeake B-WET is a competitive grant program that supports existing, high-quality
environmental education programs and fosters the growth of new, innovative programs. The
Chesapeake B-WET Program funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12
audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) throughout the
watershed. The goal is to increase understanding and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay and
its local watersheds, including the rivers, upland streams, and natural habitats found
throughout the region. Apply by March 1, 2021 via Grants.gov here.

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Save the Dates/Calendar

December 7th (12- 3 PM EDT): US Contributions to Global Ocean Plastic Waste
Committee Meeting 2

This meeting, hosted by the National Academy of Sciences, is an open session meeting focusing
on waste management in the United States. The Committee on United States Contributions to
Global Ocean Plastic Waste will be evaluating US contributions to global ocean plastic waste,
assessing prevalence of marine debris and mismanaged plastic waste, examining the import and
export of plastic waste to and from the United States, and assessing the potential value of a
national marine debris monitoring system. View the agenda and register for the meeting here.

December 8th (8PM EDT): Unwrapped- The Good, Bad and Ugly Side of Plastic

Join us for an exclusive interview between Richard Kirman, CEO and Managing Director of
Veolia Australia and New Zealand, and Ricki Hersburgh, Executive Director of Plastic Oceans
Australasia. The interview will be hosted by Ricki Hersburgh, Executive Director of Plastic
Oceans Australasia, whose mission is to change the world's attitude towards plastic within a
generation. Register for the free event here.

December 9th (9AM EDT): Stormy Outlook for US Plastics Refiners - Risk of
stranded assets in the Gulf of Mexico

Growth in both capacity and production is forecast until at least 2035 across the U.S. Plastics
Production Corridor, an area which runs along the U.S. Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. This
despite increasing risks to capital infrastructure posed by storms and climate change. Join
Gabriel Thoumi, Head of the Plastics Programme at Planet Tracker to discuss the outlook for
the US Plastics Refining sector. Gabriel will be joined by a panel of experts including Gretchen
Goldman of the Union of Concerned Scientists and Horace Chan, Chemicals Analyst at
Bloomberg Intelligence. Register for the webinar here.

December 10th (2PM EDT): Plastic Packaging - Advancing the Transition to a
Circular Economy

Hosted by Plastic News, this webinar will review industry goals and market challenges in
increasing the use of rPET and achieving full recyclability of plastic packaging. Featured
speakers include two representatives from Avient Corporation, Kristin Meyers, Senior Industry
Manager of Food and Beverage Packaging and Alan Barcon, Associate Director of Technology,
Color and Additives. Register for the event here.

December 16th (12PM EDT): Microplastinar 4- Plastic Pollution as a Chemical
Problem

Fourth in an interactive webinar series hosted by the EU project LimnoPlast, this series will take
a closer look at the wicked problem of plastic pollution and microplastics. This event's speaker
is Jane Muncke, Managing Director and CSO of the Food Packaging Forum. Register for the
webinar here.

Save the dates for future months...

January 13th (12PM EDT): Microplastinar 5- Plastic Pollution as an Ecosystem
Problem

Fifth in an interactive webinar series hosted by the EU project LimnoPlast, this series will take
a closer look at the wicked problem of plastic pollution and microplastics. This event's speaker
is Nicola Beaumont, Professor and Head of Science for Sea and Society at Plymouth Marine
Laboratory. Register for the webinar here.

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January 14th (2PM EDT): Addressing Marine Debris in Protected Areas- Best
Practices and Examples

This webinar will be hosted by Anna Ruth Robuck of the University of Rhode Island Graduate
School of Oceanography and NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center. The event will synthesize
recommendations based upon review of research, case studies, and experience from
government, academia, and non-profits for protected area managers seeking to reduce marine
debris. This webinar will provide suggested actions and current examples from protected areas
addressing marine debris in the US and beyond. Register for the webinar here.

February 9th (2PM EDT): Building a State Plan to Monitor and Assess Marine
Litter: Lessons Learned

Marine litter monitoring programs are essential to determining and promoting feasible and
effective actions to combat marine litter, but consistent long-term programs are scarce
worldwide. To address this gap, a statewide plan to assess marine litter was developed for Sao
Paulo, Brazil. The plan introduces a set of suggested indicators that can be applied by a wide
group of stakeholders and in a variety of locations and contexts. Speakers include
representatives from the Oceanographic Institute of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. To
register, click here.

February io-i2th: North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium

Mark your calendars for the 8th Annual North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium at the Duke
University Marine Lab and virtually worldwide. Meeting themes include holistic solutions to
marine debris prevention, new or expanded marine debris research, policy and advocacy
updates, optimizing regional and global solution-based partnerships, and creative virtual
outreach. To submit a proposal to present, please email lisar@coastalcarolinariverwatch.org by
December 1, 2020. Learn more about the event, click here.

February 16th (2PM EDT): Marine Plastics- From Local to Global

This lecture will discuss the amounts and sources of plastics reaching the oceans, and (focusing
on microplastics) the processes by which they may be trapped and accumulate in river and
coastal environments, their potential impacts, current knowledge gaps, and methods of
reducing the ocean plastic burden. This webinar will be presented by Dr. John Hardy, a lecturer
in materials chemistry at Lancaster University and Programme Secretary for the Royal Society
of Chemistry Lancaster. Register for the event here.

March 1-5"1: Eighth Annual World Ocean Summit Virtual Week

This week-long event will feature more than 60 sessions and 130 speakers discussing how to
create a sustainable ocean economy. One industry track will focus on changing the course of
plastic pollution from source to sea, discussing the role of the consumer-goods sector to
minimize plastic use, and covering opportunities for waste collection infrastructure and
management. Register for free here.

March 2-4th: International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic

Hosted by the government of Iceland, this conference will cover a range of topics including
everything from sources and transport of plastics in the region to insight on research
methodologies and a deep-dive on the ecotoxicological impacts of plastic pollution on Arctic
habitats. Read the agenda and learn more about the event here.

March 4-5th: Third Annual Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium

The 3rd Annual Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium will take place both virtually and on South
Padre Island, TX. The research symposium and poster session will be held on the first day, and
workshops and a beach cleanup will be held the following day. Poster presentations will cover a

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wide range of topics, including: l) Monitoring, 2) Policy and Urban Communities, 3) Chemistry
of Plastic Pollution, 4) to Fish and Wildlife, and 5) Solutions. Registration will cap at 150 people,
so remember to register for free here. The call for abstracts is open and closes February 4,2021.
Submit your abstract here.

Other Opportunities...

EPA Call for Nominations for the 2021 President's Environmental Student and
Teacher Awards

The EPA's Office of Environmental Education is now accepting applications for the 2021
President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for
Environmental Educators (PLAEE). The program recognizes outstanding students and
educators who have advanced environmental stewardship in a range of environmental topics,
including marine litter and ocean pollution. Applications for both awards programs are due no
later than February 19, 2021. To learn more about the PEYA and PIAEE awards, click here and
here.

The Microplastics Breakdown

The section below only includes a selection of notable, recent microplastics
study summaries. If you would like to receive the complete Microplastics
Breakdown, please contact Bathersfield.Nizanna@epa.gov

MICROPLASTICS IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS AND ECOSYSTEMS

Ingestion of microplastics by Hypanus guttatus stingrays in the Western
Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian Amazon Coast)

T Pegado, L Brabo, K Schmid, F Sarti, TT Gava

Between August 2018 and March 2019, the authors of this study examined 23 specimens
of Hypanus guttatus stingrays from the Brazilian Amazon coast and found microplastic
particles in the stomach contents of almost a third of the individuals, which were
identified using 2D imaging - Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). This was the first time
the ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by Longnose stingrays in the Western Atlantic
Ocean was demonstrated. Eighty-two percent of the microplastics found were fibers, blue
was the most frequent color (47%) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) was the most
frequent polymer recorded (35%). The authors concluded that the present study provides
an important baseline for future studies of microplastic ingestion by dasyatid rays and
other batoid species in the Atlantic Ocean, and contributes to the broader understanding
of the spatial and temporal dimensions of the growing problem of plastic pollution in
aquatic ecosystems and organisms. Read the full abstract here.

Nanoplastics in aquatic systems - are they more hazardous than
microplastics?

Christine C. Gaylarde, Jose Antonio Baptista, Netob Estefan, Monteiro da Fonseca
The authors reviewed and summarized studies from 2018 onwards focused on the effects
of nanoplastics (NPs) on ecosystems, their uptake and transport of polluting molecules,
and the challenges that are faced by workers in this area. The authors noted that the

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current quantity of NPs in the environment is unknown because the technologies to
identify them have not yet been formulated; the pores of traditional filtration devices are
too large for their collection. Laboratory nanotechnology techniques are available to
assess small quantities of liquid, but because of the absence of suitable methodology,
many workers have relied on the production of models to investigate the production and
fate of NPs in aquatic environments. Based on their review, the authors identified the
primary need in this area of research as the development of acceptable standard methods
for extracting, isolating and analyzing these minute particles for studying the effects of
NPs on ecosystems and then their relative prevalence in different areas of the world can
then be effectively assessed. They also noted that information about "biodegradable"
nanoplastics is particularly scarce. Read the full abstract here.

HUMAN AND ANIMAL EXPOSURE TO MICROPLASTICS

Mapping of Microplastics and Endotoxins As A Potential Workplace Hazard

Alessio Gomiero, Kjell Birger Oysasd, Emily Lyng, Bjorg Meling, Geir Skogerbo
This study focused on the indoor air of an industrial unit at IVAR's fertilizer production
facility located in Mekjarvik, Randaberg. This facility turns sewage sludge from the
nearby Nord-Jaeren Sewage Treatment Plant into fertilizer products via several
consecutive processes. A selection of six indoor and one outdoor air samples were
collected and analyzed for microplastic (MP) content via both pyrolysis-GCMS and li-
FTIR method. MPs were found in both indoor and outdoor samples. The authors also
looked at the occurrence of endotoxins in the samples. The results of the analysis found
a strong correlation between the total amount of MPs and the endotoxins. A weaker
correlation was found between MPs and dust as well as between endotoxin content and
dust. The authors concluded that their results indicated a potential direct human
exposure to microplastic contamination via indoor air in the working environments
addressed in this study, and though the correlation between the plastic content and the
levels of endotoxins is also interesting, the low number of analyzed samples did not allow
conclusions to be drawn regarding human health safety. More frequent sampling and a
larger sample set is recommended. Read the full abstract here.

Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review
of the literature

Nell Hirt & Mathilde Body-Malapel

The goal of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge
regarding the effects of nano- and microplastics on intestinal homeostasis. The authors
conducted a literature search focused on the in vivo effects of nano- and microplastics on
gut epithelium and microbiota, as well as on immune response. They found that many
animal studies have shown that exposure to nano- and microplastics leads to
impairments in oxidative and inflammatory intestinal balance, and disruption of the
gut's epithelial permeability. Other notable effects of nano- and microplastic exposure
include changes in the gut microbiota and immune cell toxicity. They also noted that
microplastics contain additives, adsorb contaminants, and may promote the growth of
bacterial pathogens on their surfaces: they are potential carriers of intestinal toxicants
and pathogens that can potentially lead to further adverse effects. The authors also
observed that this review brings together a growing body of evidence showing that nano-
and microplastic exposure disturbs the gut microbiota and critical intestinal function and
such effects may promote the development of chronic immune disorders. They

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recommend further investigation of this threat to human health is warranted. Read the
full abstract here.

FATE AND TRANSPORT OF MICROPLASTICS IN AQUATIC

ENVIRONMENTS

A spatially variable scarcity of floating microplastics in the eastern North
Pacific Ocean

M Egger, R Nijhof, L Quiros, G Leone, SJ Royer

The goal of the study was to assist in better understanding the transport and
transformation processes of positively buoyant plastic debris at the sea surface. The
authors collated data from 679 neuston net trawls, completed during seven expeditions
to the eastern North Pacific Ocean between 2015 and 2019. The results demonstrated
that the relative abundance of floating microplastics increases from the outside to the
inside of the North Pacific Garbage Patch. The authors found that the results highlight
that global estimates of the accumulation and removal of positively buoyant
microplastics need to consider spatial aspects such as variations in ocean productivity,
the dominant physical transport processes in a given area, as well as the time needed for
a plastic object to reach the specific offshore location. Read the full abstract here.

The presence and significance of microplastics in surface water in the Lower
Hudson River Estuary 2016—2019: A research note

Helen Polanco Siddhartha Hayes, Carrie Roble, Marika Krupitsky, Brett Branco
Since 2016, Hudson River Park has collaborated with Brooklyn College to survey
microplastics within Park waters between Chambers and 59th Streets in Manhattan, New
York. This study investigated the hypothesis that microplastic concentration is
influenced by proximity to combined sewer overflow (CSO) points, precipitation, and
tides in the Lower Hudson River Estuary. Samples were collected at channel and near-
shore locations at downtown and midtown sites. These samples were then analyzed
following NOAA methods via stereo microscope. Microplastic concentrations in 2018
were found to be higher than in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Near-shore sites were found to
exhibit higher concentrations than channel sites. Microfibers were not fully accounted
for and fragments were found in 70% of all of the samples. The authors concluded that
CSOs may have an impact on microplastics concentration, but that more data is required
and that more factors are considered to clarify the relationship. Furthermore, they
suggest that additional data will also improve the understanding of the presence of
microplastics in the Lower Hudson and would serve to elucidate the effects of wet
weather on plastic concentrations. Read the full abstract here.

IDENTIFICATION OF MICROPLASTICS AND METHODS

Impact of weathering on the chemical identification of microplastics from
usual packaging polymers in the marine environment

V. Fernandez-Gonzalez, J. M. Andrade-Garda, P. L6pez-Mahia1 S. Muniategui-
Lorenzo

The focus of this work is to characterize the weathering of the most abundant plastics
found in the environment: the packaging materials. Pristine polymers of the most
common polymers used in packaging: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS and PET, were weathered

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under controlled, standardized conditions simulating dry and marine conditions for
more than 10 weeks, and their changes were monitored. Then selected band ratios were
calculated to monitor and study their behavior. The selected polymers responded
differently to weathering, e.g., weathered PS presents new overlapping spectral bands
in the fingerprint region so that its identification becomes difficult while weathered
PET remained easy to identify because its spectral shape is not too different from
pristine PET. As a result, the authors concluded that the evolution of each studied
polymer has to be considered independently and that the incorporation of weathered
spectra of the polymers within the searching databases is necessary to get a reliable
chemical identification of the microplastics. Read the full abstract here.

Two simple washing procedures allow the extraction of positively buoyant
microplastics (>500 |im) from beach wrack

Sinja Dittmann, Mark Lenz

The authors assert that so far there is no procedure established that allows the
extraction of microplastics from organic-rich environmental matrices such as beach
wrack. As a result, the authors explored the use of two easy and cost-effective methods
for extracting microplastics from Baltic Sea beach wrack consisting of Zostera marina L.
seagrass or_Fucus spp. brown algae. Samples of either Zostera marina L. or Fucus spp.
were first spiked with defined amounts of either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or
polypropylene (PP) in three size classes. The authors then placed the material between
two grids inside a water-filled container and tested the separation efficiency by applying
one of two methods: moving the grids up and down manually or bubbling the container
with air. The manual washing method was found to be slightly more effective than
bubbling the beach wrack with air, while it was easier to extract the particles from
the Fucus spp. than from the Zostera marina L. matrix. In all cases, however, the
differences were not large. The authors concluded that both procedures were efficient
and easy to apply, and would be suitable for government agencies, NGOs, school and
citizen science projects. Read the full abstract here.

If you'd like to see your posting in this email, please email
Marshall.Lavne@epa.gov with any suggestions!

US EPA - Trash Free Waters | nandi.romell@epa.gov | https: //www.epa.eov/trash-free-waters

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