School of Packaging Seminar Series: Art Hirsch
November 19, 2026 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Microplastics in the Great Lakes
Art Hirsch, Environmental Engineer and Environmental Activist Co-Founder of the Michigan Microplastics Coalition
Presentation summary
Microplastic pollution presents a growing challenge for the Great Lakes and the communities that depend on them. This seminar will examine how small plastic particles enter and move through the watershed, what their presence means for water quality and aquatic life, and why potential human health effects warrant continued research. The presentation will connect the science with practical opportunities to prevent pollution at its source.
Art Hirsch will discuss major microplastic types and sources, including plastic fragments, synthetic textile fibers, and industrial plastic pellets. He will explore pathways from homes, industry, wastewater, and stormwater to the Great Lakes; concerns about exposure and ecological effects; and the limits of current knowledge. He will also describe the Michigan Microplastics Coalition’s education, outreach, and legislative advocacy, highlighting opportunities for students, researchers, communities, and policymakers to help reduce plastic pollution.
About the presenter
Art Hirsch is a former environmental engineering consultant with more than 30 years of experience and a focus on water quality, plastics, microplastics, and environmental impacts. A Michigan native, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and spends summers in the Ludington and Pentwater area. As Co-Founder of the Michigan Microplastics Coalition, he works on public education and outreach and the development of state and federal legislative approaches to microplastic pollution.
Contact AHirsch@Terralogicss.com | 720-351-8945
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