In 2019, KBIB mobilized 2,077 volunteers, removing 4,491 pounds of plastic pollution and other littered items from Belle Isle. Fifty-three volunteer groups and six public cleanups provided $194,157 in in-kind improvements to the quality of the park’s outdoor space and local waterways.
Keep Belle Isle Beautiful (KBIB) is a campaign to educate about the impact of harmful debris in our park and waterways. KBIB inspires park users to protect our precious natural resources, leading to healthier, litter-free parks and neighborhoods throughout Detroit and the Great Lakes region. Together we strive to make an impact at the local level, by reducing litter on Belle Isle – as well as the regional level, by being an active contributor to the umbrella, global campaign to keep our waterways free of plastic pollution.
HOW DOES PLASTIC AFFECT OUR HEALTH?
In 1974, global plastic consumption per year was 4.4 pounds per capita. Today, this has increased to about 95 pounds — and this number is still set to increase. If plastic consumption increases at its current rate, according to National Geographic, by 2050 there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills. It is said that by 2050, there will be more plastic in our world’s oceans than fish.
91% of plastic ever produced has not been recycled and still exists today
According to National Geographic, 73% of all beach litter is plastic. The litter includes filters from cigarette butts, bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, and polystyrene containers.
The average time that a plastic bag is used for is 12 minutes.
Plastic bags are used one time for an estimated 12 minutes and then take up to a thousand years to decompose.
Over the past 50 years, world plastic production has doubled.
CANAL AND RIVER CLEAN-UPS
In order to Keep Belle Isle Beautiful, the Belle Isle Conservancy is partnering with Riverside Kayak Connection and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to coordinate Detroit River and Canal Clean-Ups on Belle Isle. We know many of our paddling friends love Belle Isle as much as we do and also want to help keep our waterways clean. This is a great opportunity to get together with other paddlers and make a difference. Click the box below for more information!