Thu 1/22 @ 7PM

You’ve probably heard a lot about plastic pollution, and how it’s impacted bodies of water from local ponds to the great oceans. The documentary Ripples of Plastic takes on the issue of microplastics — tiny fragments of plastic resulting from the breakdown of ubiquitous plastic items — which have become pervasive in waterways everywhere and pose a threat to both humans and wildlife.

Ripples of Plastic looks specifically at the impact of microplastics on the Great Lakes, which supply water to more than 11 million people in the U.S. and Canada— how they get there and what they mean for the environment and public health. It also explores what we as individuals and groups can do to reduce plastic pollution, which has been increasing in the Great Lakes region. Itx’s been screened at multiple film festivals, including the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is hosting a screening of the movie at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Following the screening there will be a panel discussion moderated by SWCD’s board supervisor Anton Krieger. Panelists include the film’s director Chris Langer, and representatives from organizations working to address the issue: Carin Miller from the Cuyahoga Solid Waste District; Erin Huber, founder of Drink Local Drink Tap; Eddie Olschansky from Trash Fish (inspired by the kayak fisherman’s observation of plastic in the Cuyahoga River); and Scott Hardy from OSU’s Ohio Sea Grant, which maintains research facility Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island off Put-in-Bay.

Go here for tickets. Go here to learn more about the film.