Who We Are
Great Lakes Great Responsibility is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to remove and prevent marine debris throughout the Great Lakes watershed. Founded in 2020, we’ve grown into a region-wide movement powered by communities, beachcombers, students, business owners, and passionate people like you who believe protecting the largest freshwater system on Earth isn’t someone else’s job - it’s all of ours.
We combine cleanup events with prevention programs, education, and advocacy to build a lasting culture of stewardship and care for the Great Lakes and beyond.
The Pollution Problem
The Great Lakes hold nearly 21% of the world’s fresh water and supply drinking water to more than 30 million people across two countries. Every year, an estimated 22 million pounds of plastic pollution enter this system - washing up on beaches, drifting down rivers, and breaking apart into microplastics that work their way into fish, wildlife, and eventually, us.
More than 85% of the debris that volunteers collect during Great Lakes cleanups is plastic. Left unchecked, it doesn’t go away. It gets smaller and harder to remove.
of the world's fresh water
people rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water
of plastic enters the Great Lakes every year
of cleanup debris collected is plastic
That’s why we’re on a mission to remove and prevent marine debris from every angle to make our work have a larger impact.
Get Involved
Whatever time, skills, or resources you’ve got, there’s a place for you in this movement.
Land Acknowledgement
The Great Lakes region is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands and waters of First Nations people, including the Anishinaabe—the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodéwadmi peoples who continue to keep alive their traditions, culture, language, and teachings, in the proud spirit of who they are.
We say “Miigwech” for their continued care for the water and land in partnership with our communities throughout the Great Lakes.
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