In the heart of Quebec, a monumental effort is underway to combat the growing issue of pollution in the St. Lawrence River. Led by marine biologist Lyne MorissetteMission 1,000 tonnes has set an ambitious goal: to collect and remove 1,000 tonnes of trash from the river’s shorelines. This initiative, which began with a modest target of just 10 tonnes, has grown into a large-scale expedition known as L’Expédition Saint-Laurent.
The expedition, which kicked off on August 8, 2026, will span 16 days and cover approximately 2,000 kilometres. The team, consisting of scientists, divers, and volunteers, will make stops in key locations such as the Greater Montreal area, Quebec CityBaie-Comeau and the Innu community of Pessamit on the North Shore. Along the way, they will collaborate with local volunteers and organizations to organize shoreline cleanups.
Documenting pollution and its impact
Morissette, who is also an associate professor at the Université du Québec à Rimouski’s ocean sciences group, the Institut des sciences de la mer emphasizes the importance of documenting the trash collected. Each region has a unique trash signature with common finds including cigarette butts, plastic takeout containers, and coffee cups. However, the team has also encountered unexpected items, such as what appeared to be a gun, which turned out to be a starting gun for a rowing competition.
” She noted that there are protocols in place to ensure items are handled safely. The data collected during these cleanups helps to better understand how shorelines are being affected by pollution.
The duality of cleanup efforts
Morissette acknowledges the bittersweet nature of the cleanups. While collecting large piles of trash is disheartening, it also means that less waste remains in nature. “The more we have, the worse it is, but at the same time, it’s that amount less in nature so it’s kind of mixed feelings,” she said during a phone interview as she prepared for a cleanup in Magog in the Eastern Townships.
The sights encountered during these expeditions are not always encouraging. They serve as a stark reminder that Quebec is not immune to the ecological challenges facing the planet. “climate change, sea water temperature rising, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, we cannot say that it’s (far) away, it’s elsewhere,” Morissette stated.
Empowering communities and sharing hope
Despite the challenges, Morissette is encouraged by the numerous volunteers who dedicate their time to cleaning up shorelines. She stresses the importance of sharing a message of hope and empowering people to take action. “It can be seen as a small gesture to just spend an hour collecting trash, or spending five minutes during your walk to collect some garbage along the way, but all these small moments, they add up,” she said.
According to Mission 1,000 tonnes‘s website, the organization has collected approximately 749 tonnes of trash over the years, nearing their goal. Morissette indicated that the organization will continue its efforts even after reaching the 1,000-tonne milestone, although she does not anticipate changing the organization’s name again, as they did after the initial 10-tonne goal was reached.
The cleaning expedition, co-organized by Stratégie Saint-Laurent is set This initiative not only aims to clean up the river but also to raise awareness about the broader environmental issues affecting our planet.
