This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Read the story at Maryland Matters.
A recent study conducted by the advocacy organization Environment America has revealed the presence of microplastics throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The findings were announced on Tuesday.
In this small-scale study, citizen scientists contributed to the collection of water samples from 15 locations within the watershed, including five sites situated in Maryland’s waterways. The researchers discovered microplastics present at every location, manifesting as plastic fibers, films, beads, or fragments. For a detailed overview of the findings, see the full report.
Alice Volpitta, the Baltimore Harbor waterkeeper, emphasized the severity of plastic pollution, stating during a press conference at Baltimore’s waterfront, “Plastic pollution is pervasive, and it’s a danger that’s not just out there in some patch across the ocean. It’s right here. It’s knocking at our front door.”
Local environmental advocates assert that these findings provide compelling evidence for Maryland legislators to advance legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution this year. This includes the introduction of a bottle return program designed to incentivize Marylanders to return plastic drink containers for recycling.
The report was unveiled at the site of Mr. Trash Wheel, one of four anthropomorphized trash-collecting machines in operation around Baltimore Harbor, a project initiated by the city’s Waterfront Partnership.
According to Allison Blood, senior manager of environmental projects and advocacy at the Waterfront Partnership, these machines collected an impressive 768,000 pounds of garbage and debris from Baltimore’s waterways in 2025 alone. “While that’s an impressive accomplishment, we know that cleaning up the pollution downstream is not a long-term solution. We need to turn off the tap upstream,” she stated.
Microplastics pose a significant challenge due to their diminutive size—less than 5 millimeters, comparable to a sesame seed—which makes them difficult to capture with current collection methods.
“Unlike an apple or piece of paper that decomposes gradually over time, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic,” explained Nina Harbison, an associate at Maryland PIRG, a partner organization of Environment America.
Once in the ecosystem, these microplastics are commonly ingested by fish and other wildlife, leading to a variety of health issues. They can attract and carry harmful pollutants present in water, while also releasing their own toxic substances. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that plastics and associated chemicals can impede development, reproductive health, and the ability of animals to resist diseases.
Moreover, microplastics have been found within the human body, with studies linking them to an increased likelihood of health problems. For instance, patients with microplastics in arterial plaque exhibited a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.
The Environment America study assessed microplastics at various Maryland locations along the Patapsco, Choptank, Nanticoke, and Susquehanna rivers, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay near Talbot County. Additionally, lab analyses included samples taken from sites in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The study’s findings indicated that all sampled sites contained plastic microfibers; 93% had microfragments, 47% included microfilm, and 27% featured microbeads.
While Harbison acknowledged that there is no “silver bullet solution” to address the pervasive issue of microplastics, organizations like PIRG believe that implementing a bottle return system would significantly benefit Maryland.
Maryland’s “bottle bill,” as it is commonly referred to, has been brought before the Maryland General Assembly multiple times. The current version has been proposed for the past four years but has yet to receive approval from either the House or Senate.
Under the proposed bill, plastic manufacturers would be required to contribute funds to support the program, which would be managed by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Environmental groups are also celebrating other recent victories, such as the passing of an expanded “extended producer responsibility” law in Maryland in 2025. This legislation holds various packaging makers accountable for contributing financially to recycling efforts.
In 2015, the state enacted a ban on “synthetic plastic microbeads,” which were often used in personal care products and over-the-counter medications for exfoliation. Furthermore, as of 2020, Maryland has prohibited most uses of polystyrene, known by many as Styrofoam, in food service products.
Since launching these bans, Baltimore’s Waterfront Partnership noted an 83% reduction in polystyrene collected by its trash-collecting wheels. Similarly, there has been a 55% decrease in plastic bag waste following a local ban on plastic bags. “These reductions demonstrate that policies can prevent plastic pollution from reaching our waterways in the first place,” Blood stated.
Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. For inquiries, contact Editor Steve Crane at: info@marylandmatters.org.
