Plastic pollution and toxic contaminants can concentrate in the environment and negatively affect humans, wildlife, and the environment. PEP participates in regional subwatershed management efforts to reduce the loading of toxic contaminants like pesticides and herbicides into our waterways, including the Agricultural Stewardship Plan and Homeowner Rewards Program. As part of the Pesticide and Fertilizer Elimination/Reduction Program, PEP works with a wide list of partners to mitigate contamination in the Peconic Estuary.
PEP promotes local and regional S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) days, designed to provide area residents with a safe, environmentally sound method of disposal of hazardous materials.
PEP has installed monofilament fishing line receptacles around the estuary for discarding excess fishing line and to help combat marine plastic debris. PEP staff and volunteers maintain these receptacles and measure and record the amount of fishing line collected. Fishing line is then sent to The Berkeley Conservation Institute Pure Fishing, Inc., for recycling into tackle boxes, spools for line, and other products. Check out locations where PEP and partners have installed fishing line receptacles.
PEP is working with partners from Stony Brook University and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to trace microplastics throughout the Peconic Estuary.
