Meijer Donates $280,000 to Further Support Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup Initiative
Continued partnership with the Council of the Great Lakes Region Foundation will deploy innovative cleanup technology across regional waterways
June 3,2026, Cleveland, OH – The Council of the Great Lakes Region Foundation (CGLR Foundation) is proud to announce a $280,000 contribution from Meijer continuing its support of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC) initiative in 2026. This latest investment builds on Meijer’s leadership as a key partner in the program, helping bring innovative cleanup technologies to the Great Lakes watershed, including five BeBots and five PixieDrones, while supporting six local partners in their on-the-ground operations.
Together, Meijer and the CGLR Foundation are advancing a powerful model for environmental stewardship, one that not only removes plastic pollution from shorelines and waterways but also engages communities and delivers measurable impact. Meijer’s continued partnership underscores the value of private-sector leadership in protecting natural resources, supporting local communities, and driving scalable solutions across the Great Lakes.
“Meijer has set a powerful example of how private-sector leadership can drive measurable environmental impact while strengthening the communities they serve. Their investment in the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup has enabled innovation, expanded regional partnerships, and delivered tangible results on the ground. We are endlessly grateful to Meijer for their support and partnership, and we hope their leadership inspires other organizations to join us in scaling this work and protecting the Great Lakes.”
— Vance Badawey, President & CEO, Council of the Great Lakes Region
The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC), a joint initiative of Pollution Probe in Canada and the CGLR Foundation in the U.S., the charitable arm of the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), is a first-of-its-kind program using innovative technology to remove plastic litter and marine debris across the binational region. Since 2020, the GLPC has collected and characterized more than 245,000 pieces of debris from Great Lakes shorelines, generating critical data to better understand litter sources and pathways. This growing dataset, summarized on the GLPC website, is helping inform solutions that protect the Great Lakes today and for future generations.
Beyond cleanup and data collection, the GLPC plays an essential role in mobilizing communities around the issue of plastic pollution. The Great Lakes holds approximately 84% of North America’s surface freshwater, providing drinking water for more than 40 million people and supporting over 3,500 species of plants and animals. They also drive more than $9.3 trillion USD in regional economic activity annually, from shipping and tourism to fishing and recreation. Yet despite their immense value, an estimated 22 million pounds of plastic enter the lakes each year, breaking down into microplastics that have been found in drinking water, fish, and even the air.
To help tackle this challenge during the 2026 season, GLPC partners, with continued support from Meijer will expand community engagement efforts through shoreline cleanups, hands-on events, and public outreach initiatives. These efforts invite residents, families, and organizations to be part of the solution while demonstrating the real-world impact of collaborative environmental action.
“At Meijer, we believe in the power of partnerships to create lasting change for our communities and our environment. Our continued investment in the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is a reflection of our commitment to protecting these vital waterways for future generations.”
— Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability, Meijer
At the heart of this work are two innovative cleanup technologies designed to make a visible difference. The BeBot is a fully electric, remote-controlled beach cleaner that drives across the sand, sifting out debris while limiting impact on the natural environment. The PixieDrone operates directly in the water, navigating harbors, marinas, and river mouths to collect floating litter before it can spread further into the lakes. Together, these technologies bring a high-tech, highly visible approach to tackling pollution often drawing community interest and sparking conversations wherever they operate.
Since 2022, Meijer has played a pivotal role in advancing this work in the U.S., contributing over $1.5 million to support the deployment of cleanup technologies and local partner operations. From launching initial fleets of BeBots and PixieDrones to expanding coverage across Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Meijer’s investments have helped establish one of the largest coordinated freshwater cleanup efforts in the region. With its newest $280,000 commitment in 2026, Meijer continues to set the standard for how businesses can drive meaningful environmental impact while strengthening the communities they serve.
As the 2026 cleanup season approaches, momentum is building and there are more ways than ever to get involved. Community members are encouraged to attend local cleanup events, see the BeBot and PixieDrone in action, and follow the data and impact throughout the season via the initiative’s social media. Businesses and organizations looking to make a difference are invited to join this growing network of partners working to protect the Great Lakes.
Together, through continued collaboration and community action, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and ensure a cleaner, healthier Great Lakes region for generations to come. To stay connected, sign up for updates, attend an event near you, or explore partnership opportunities, please visit https://councilgreatlakesregion.org/
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About Meijer
Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.
About Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR)
Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), comprised of CGLR Canada, the CGLR Canada Foundation, CGLR USA, and the CGLR Foundation, is a network of charitable and non-charitable organizations in the transnational Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region focused on accelerating the transition to a sustainable future by uniquely bringing diverse perspectives and interests together to explore and solve our most pressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges. Through cross-border collaboration and innovative partnerships, CGLR strives to create the first sustainable region in the world. For additional information, please visit https://councilgreatlakesregion.org/
About the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup
The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, an initiative of the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Pollution Probe with support from a network of funders and collaborators, uses innovative plastic capture technology to quickly capture and remove plastics and other litter from Lake Ontario to Lake Superior and everywhere in between and is one of the largest initiatives of its kind in the world. Through research, outreach and education, the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is gathering data on litter entering our waterways and identifying how government, industry, and consumers can work together to reduce, reuse and recycle material waste. To learn more, visit www.greatlakesplasticcleanup.org.
Media Contact:
Jasmine Ault, Communications and Marketing Manager, Council of the Great Lakes Region
jasmine@councilgreatlakesregion.org
(647) 200-9424
