Sacramento River: Plastic Pollution Crisis

The Sacramento River is the second-largest contiguous watershed in the US, covering much of Northern California. It provides water to over half of California's population and supports the state's most productive agricultural area. However, the river faces significant ecological challenges due to pollution, including plastic waste. Plastic pollution in the Sacramento River comes from various sources, such as homeless encampments, population growth, and inadequate sewage systems. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles from consumer products like face washes and toothpaste, are also a growing concern, with researchers studying their accumulation in the river. While efforts are being made to address plastic pollution, it remains a pressing issue for the Sacramento River and the surrounding environment.

Plastic microbeads from personal care products

The Sacramento River is the second-largest contiguous watershed in the US, covering much of northern California. It provides water to over half of California's population and supports the state's most productive agricultural area. However, the river is plagued by countless environmental challenges, including plastic pollution.

The small size of the microbeads means they are not filtered out by wastewater treatment plants, allowing them to enter freshwater and marine systems. This has led to a growing number of scientists and researchers pushing for them to be phased out. In 2014, the beauty industry announced a voluntary phase-out of microbeads, and in 2015, the US Senate passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act. Additionally, companies can replace plastic microbeads with biodegradable alternatives such as jojoba beads, crushed apricot pits, sea salt, and coffee grounds.

The presence of microbeads in the Sacramento River is still being studied. However, given the widespread use of microbeads in personal care products and the river's proximity to urban and agricultural areas, it is likely that microbeads from these products contribute to the plastic pollution in the river. This pollution has consequences for the environment and human health, as the microbeads can enter the food chain and cause endocrine disruption in fish.

Plastic sheeting used to cover crops

Plastic sheeting is a versatile and affordable material used in agriculture, including for greenhouses, tunnels, silage storage, irrigation, mulching, barns, and stalls. In agriculture, choosing the right type of plastic can significantly impact yield.

Plastic sheeting is commonly used to cover crops in California strawberry fields. However, this plastic gets shredded during the tilling of the soil, contributing to microplastic pollution in rivers and oceans. While the specific impact on the Sacramento River is unknown, microplastics are known to be present in the river due to other sources, such as consumer products like face washes, toothpaste, and other personal care items. These microbeads are small enough to pass through wastewater treatment plants and accumulate in the river, eventually flowing into the Pacific Ocean.

The Sacramento River, originating in the mountains and plateaus of northern California, is heavily used for irrigation and provides water to over half of California's population. The river's watershed covers a large area in northern California and is home to about 2.8 million people. The river has been modified by large dams and water infrastructure projects, and its ecology has been impacted by invasive species, climate change, and pollution.

Plastic pollution in the Sacramento River comes from various sources, including homeless encampments, population growth, and inadequate sewage systems. Efforts to address plastic pollution include legislative proposals like SB 54, which aims to require plastic container manufacturers to use recyclable or disposable materials for single-use products by 2030. Additionally, organizations like the San Francisco Baykeeper and the Environmental Defense Fund are advocating for stronger environmental protections in the region.

Plastic waste from homeless encampments

The Sacramento River in California is heavily modified from its natural state, providing water to over half of California's population and supporting the state's most productive agricultural area. The river's ecological viability is threatened by large-scale water infrastructure projects, climate change, and invasive species.

Homeless encampments along the banks of the Sacramento River have contributed to plastic waste and pollution in the river. The growing number of homeless encampments has led to a spike in plastic litter pollution, with volunteers collecting nearly 40,000 pounds of trash, including plastic waste, from the American River parkway in 2022. The lack of public bathrooms for people living in these encampments has also resulted in high levels of E. coli bacteria and fecal contamination in the river.

The American River Foundation leads monthly river clean-ups near homeless encampments to curb plastic litter in the river waters. Other organizations, such as the San Diego River Park Foundation, the Los Angeles River Park Foundation, Keep California Beautiful, and the Surfriders Foundation, also coordinate with local authorities to address waste management in homeless encampments and clean up waterways.

In addition to plastic waste, homeless encampments along the Sacramento River have also been associated with other forms of waste, including hazardous, medical, and liquid waste. The California Department of Fish and Game operates a Heritage and Wild Trout Program focused on replenishing steelhead trout in the upper Sacramento River, which has been affected by plastic pollution and waste.

To address the issue of plastic pollution in the Sacramento River, the California state legislature considered the Circular Economy and Pollution Reduction Act, which, if enacted, would require plastic container manufacturers to ensure that all single-use disposable products are made of recyclable or compostable materials by 2030.

Plastic pollution from large-scale water projects

The Sacramento River is used heavily for irrigation and provides water to over half of California's population. Large dams have been built on the river and almost all of its major tributaries, greatly modifying it from its natural state.

The river's ecological viability is threatened by large-scale water infrastructure projects that divert, dam, and irrigate the river for human use. In addition, over 80% of water consumption from the Sacramento River is for agricultural purposes. Such large-scale water use has led to criticisms from more drought-conscious southern residents of the state.

The river is also affected by plastic pollution from microplastics, which are smaller than 5mm and come from sources such as plastic sheeting used to cover crops. These microplastics can come from toothpaste, face washes, and other consumer products. They are so small that they are not filtered out by wastewater treatment plants. A study by a UC Davis researcher found that microplastics were likely polluting the Sacramento River.

To address the issue of plastic pollution, the California state legislature considered the Circular Economy and Pollution Reduction Act in 2019. The act would require plastic container manufacturers to ensure that by 2030, all single-use disposable products were made of recyclable or compostable materials. However, the act stalled in the assembly without passage.

In addition to legislative efforts, organizations like the San Francisco Baykeeper, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Save the Bay have been leading activists in the fight for stronger environmental protections for the San Francisco Bay area, which includes the Sacramento River. The Sacramento River Wildlife Refuge has also been established to provide a safe haven for migrating bird species.

Plastic bags and packaging products

The Sacramento River is the second-largest contiguous watershed in the US, covering much of northern California and providing water to over half of the state's population. The river is used heavily for irrigation and supports the most productive agricultural area in the nation. However, these changes have caused the decline of its once-abundant fisheries.

The river's viability is threatened by large-scale water infrastructure projects, climate change, and invasive species. In addition, plastic pollution is a significant issue. A UC Davis researcher has studied whether tiny bits of plastic used in consumer products are accumulating in Sacramento-area rivers and flowing into the Pacific Ocean. These microplastics, smaller than 5mm, are fragments of degraded plastic from various sources, including plastic bags and packaging products.

Homeless encampments and urban population growth along the American River in Sacramento have led to a spike in plastic litter pollution. The American River Foundation leads monthly clean-ups to curb plastic pollution in the Sacramento River. Additionally, organisations like the San Francisco Baykeeper and the Environmental Defense Fund are fighting for stronger environmental protections for the Bay Area.

To address plastic pollution, the California state legislature considered the Circular Economy and Pollution Reduction Act. This act would require plastic container manufacturers to ensure that, by 2030, all single-use disposable products are made of recyclable or compostable materials. However, as of 2019, the act had stalled in the assembly without passage.

While the act is stalled, some companies are taking it upon themselves to provide plastic bag recycling services. For example, Lowe's, Target, Safeway, and Walmart have plastic bag/film/packaging recycle bins, usually near the entrance.

Frequently asked questions