World Environment Day: Coastal Virginia’s plastic pollution problem
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World Environment Day: Coastal Virginia’s plastic pollution problem
Today is World Environment Day. Each year, a theme is presented with 2025 focusing on solutions for global plastic pollution. In Virginia, 80% of what’s detected on the beaches and bodies of water is plastic. The Commonwealth currently has a Marine Debris Reduction Plan in effect. Under that plan, they hope to eliminate plastic use entirely in the Commonwealth in 2026 and run through 2030. The plan was created by Clean Virginia Waterways and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management program. The next Virginia Marine De debris Reduction Plan is set to go into effect in 20 26 and run until 2030, according to the plan. It is the first of its kind on the east coast.
In Virginia, plastic debris is a major concern and clogging many bodies of water. According to Clean Virginia Waterways, 80% of what’s detected on the beaches and bodies of water is plastic. 80% of the plastic waste stems from land-based sources.
Data from the International Coastal Clean-up shows that cigarette butts are the most commonly found item in waterways. Balloons and construction materials are also infiltrating seashores.
“Even in a neighborhood that might be miles inland if the trash gets into the storm drain, all storm drains lead to water, which eventually will lead in this area to Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Ocean,” said Christina Trapani, Clean Virginia Waterways Program Director.
Fishery products are also taking a hit. A recent study by CWV found 99% percent of the fish samples contained plastic. Ingesting seafood is another concern.
“Even the smallest plankton are eating microfibers and microplastics,” said Trapani. “And then as they go up into the food chain, you know, they’re either ingesting the plastic themselves or they’re ingesting another fish that’s eating plastic. So, if we’re eating fish, you know, there’s a pretty good chance that it’s in there.”
The Commonwealth currently has a Marine Debris Reduction Plan in effect. It’s the first of its kind on the east coast. It was created by Clean Virginia Waterways and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management program. More than 75 partners, organizations, educational institutions and governmental agencies are working on the plastic issues within the plan.
“We managed to get balloon releases banned in Virginia,” says Trapani. “You know, since that time, we’ve managed to get a law passed in the General Assembly that allows localities to put a five-cent fee or tax on plastic bags. Richmond just passed that a few days ago.”
The Virginia Coastal Zone Management program funds the implementation of Clean Virginia’s Waterways’ Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan through a grant from NOAA, which is federal funding. Trapani says there’s a risk they could lose almost half their budget over the Trump Administration’s rollout of funding cuts.
“As of right now, we’re still kind of in a wait-and-see stage,” she said. “But yeah, we’re aware that it could easily go away and are working on looking at other possible sources of funding. You know, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program has been an amazing partner with us for a very long time.”
The next Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan is set to go into effect in 2026 and run through 2030. Under that plan, they hope to eliminate plastic use entirely in the Commonwealth.