Two not-for-profit organizations team up to protect the environment
Toronto, ON – Circular Materials is proud to announce a collaborative partnership with Pollution Probe, a leading Canadian environmental organization, in support of the 2026 Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup season. This initiative is part of Circular Materials’ broader commitment to advancing circular economy solutions and cleaner communities in Ontario and across Canada.
Pollution Probe, founded in 1969, is renowned for its science-based approach to tackling some of Canada’s most pressing environmental challenges. The organization has a pivotal role in mobilizing communities and driving positive environmental action for over five decades.
The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (“GLPC”) in Ontario, a signature initiative of Pollution Probe and the Council of the Great Lakes Region, uses innovative plastic capture technologies—including the Seabin, PixieDrone, and BeBot—to collect and remove plastic and other debris from the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Since its launch, the GLPC has filtered billions of litres of water and removed hundreds of thousands of pieces of plastic pollution, while driving education and awareness in communities across the Great Lakes region (Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup).
“The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and its broad network of partners have been instrumental in taking action to prevent plastic from finding its way into the environment,” said Melissa DeYoung, CEO, Pollution Probe. “Collaborating with Circular Materials in Ontario on cleanup events in 2026 will help to further expand these efforts, engaging even more communities as part of our common goal of ending plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.
As part of this new collaboration, Circular Materials will join Pollution Probe in hosting a series of cleanup events next year, starting in the spring. These turnkey events will bring together volunteers to collect, sort, and characterize plastic debris—providing valuable insight into the composition of waste affecting Canadian waterways and supporting more targeted solutions for prevention.
“Circular Materials is excited to collaborate with Pollution Probe on the 2026 Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup. By engaging our team and our communities directly in the effort to protect one of Canada’s most vital natural resources, we’re taking real action to advance a circular economy,” said Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials. “As we continue to expand our programs and presence in Ontario, this partnership underscores our commitment to supporting local solutions that keep our lakes, rivers, and neighbourhoods healthy for generations to come.”
Each event will leverage leading-edge plastic capture technologies, such as the Seabin for in-water capture, PixieDrone for mobile waterway waste collection, and BeBot for remote-controlled beach cleaning.
This partnership demonstrates Circular Materials’ commitment to collaboration and the collective power of communities, industry, and science-based organizations to make a lasting difference for Canada’s environment.
MEDIA CONTACT: media@circularmaterials.ca
About Circular Materials – Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit producer responsibility organization (PRO) that supports producers in meeting their extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations across Canada. Created by producers for producers, Circular Materials develops, implements and supports effective and efficient recycling programs to advance innovation, deliver improved environmental outcomes and drive value across the recycling supply chain. Our full-service offerings include collection, management, promotion and education, and reporting.
Together, we are advancing the circular economy where materials are collected, recycled and can be returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging. As we develop enhanced recycling systems across Canada, we work to ensure more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment. Learn more at circularmaterials.ca.
About Pollution Probe
Pollution Probe is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organization that exists to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible environmental change. Pollution Probe has a proven track record of working in partnership with government, industry, academia and civil society to develop practical solutions to complex environmental challenges. Visit www.pollutionprobe.org for details.
About the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup
The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, an initiative of Pollution Probe and the Council of the Great Lakes Region, uses innovative capture technologies to prevent and remove plastic in the Great Lakes, from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior and everywhere in between. By analyzing the plastic collected, the initiative provides vital information about pollution sources and pathways, while engaging local communities, government, industry, and consumers around how we can all work together to end plastic pollution. The largest initiative of its kind, the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is made possible through support from a network of funders and collaborators across the binational Great Lakes region.
Learn more about the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup at greatlakesplasticcleanup.org.
