The most comprehensive review of microplastic pollution across NSW shorelines to date.

A report from the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) reveals that microplastic pollution in Sydney’s waterways has tripled over the past three years.

Analysis of 546 shoreline surveys across New South Wales found an average of around 1,000 microplastic pieces per square metre between 2022 and 2025, up from 300 in the previous three-year period.

The report identifies polystyrene foam and hard plastic fragments as the primary pollutants, largely originating from mismanaged waste from residential, industrial, and commercial centres and construction sites. These particles enter marine environments through stormwater and wastewater systems, where they persist and accumulate in the food chain. The full report, an eye-opening revelation of our microplastic crisis, is available here.