Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative (MRPPI)

Overview

The Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative is a multi-city, science-based effort to reduce plastic waste along the Mississippi River corridor. This community-driven project empowers local governments, residents, and partners to assess plastic pollution hotspots, identify solutions, and drive policy change across the 10-state region.

Together, we are turning data into action to protect the river, surrounding ecosystems, and communities that depend on its health.

Goals

Identify plastic pollution sources and hotspots through citizen science and data collection.

Engage local communities in hands-on plastic cleanup and prevention efforts.

Inform and advocate for local and regional policies that reduce single-use plastic and promote circular solutions.

Support data transparency by sharing results through open-source maps and dashboards.

How It Works

  1. Citizen Science – Volunteers use a mobile app (Debris Tracker) to log plastic waste in their communities.

  2. Data Collection – Information is collected in real time and shared with researchers and policy experts.

  3. Policy Action – Local leaders use the data to prioritize funding, infrastructure upgrades, and anti-pollution laws.

  4. Public Engagement – Community members participate in cleanups, education campaigns, and innovation programs.

Who’s Involved

Over 40 Mississippi River cities, including New Orleans, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Baton Rouge, and Memphis, have joined the initiative.

Key Partners

Want to get Involved?

Interested in launching a local project in your Mississippi River town or city? Want to contribute data or sponsor cleanups? Contact Us to Collaborate.