Date: January 22, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT)
Location: Zoom

Webinar Topic: A Policy Scan on Plastics Governance in the Canadian Great Lakes Region
Guest Speaker: Eden Hataley, University of Toronto PhD Research
Moderator: Ally Walker, Program Officer, Circular Economy, Council of the Great Lakes Region

Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to the health of the Laurentian Great Lakes, yet management efforts across the region remain fragmented and largely focused on cleanup rather than prevention.

In this webinar, Dr. Eden Hataley will share insights from her doctoral research, The Great Lakes Plastic Pollution Management Landscape, which examines how plastics, particularly microplastics, are governed across the Canadian Great Lakes region. Dr. Hataley recently completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Science at the University of Toronto, where her transdisciplinary research bridges ecological risk assessment and policy analysis. By synthesizing nearly 200 policies and contributing to emerging management frameworks, her research highlights critical gaps in governance, including the absence of a unified strategy under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the need for standardized monitoring and action thresholds.

Her work is crucial to informing and influencing plastic pollution management across the broader Great Lakes region. This webinar will explore implications for the region as a whole, future public policy, and the shift needed from cleanup toward systemic, lifecycle-based solutions that prevent plastic pollution at its source.

SPEAKER:

Eden Hatley | University of Toronto PhD Research

Eden Hataley, Ph.D. recently completed her doctorate in Environmental Science at the University of Toronto, where her research used a transdisciplinary approach to advance understanding of plastic pollution management in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Her work bridges science and policy, integrating ecological risk assessment and policy analysis to inform effective management strategies.

Beyond her doctoral research, Eden contributes to international efforts that shape emerging standards and management strategies for plastic pollution. She also holds a master’s degree in environmental studies and a bachelor’s degree in environmental chemistry from Queen’s University. Eden is passionate about transboundary water policy and remains committed to collaborating with diverse stakeholders to address complex environmental challenges and drive evidence-based solutions.

MODERATOR:

Ally Walker | Program Officer, Circular Economy
Ally Walker is the Program Officer of Circular Economy at the Council of the Great Lakes Region, where she leads several key projects under the Circular Great Lakes initiative, including the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, Boat Wrap Recycling Program, Dart Stormwater Grant, Return to Retail Takeback Program, and Legislative Outreach and Education project. Since joining CGLR in 2022, Ally has combined her background in sustainability policy, regional recycling systems, and stakeholder engagement to drive cross-sector solutions that advance a more circular economy. She holds a Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and is passionate about building lasting change through informed policymaking and collaboration.