Microplastics are everywhere. Defined as any small fragment of plastic, these plastics can enter the environment after being shed from synthetic products, expelled through the degradation of litter, or through the mishandling of wastewater and manufacturing waste. Once thought to float directly to the ocean, recent research found that microplastics can accumulate and linger in river systems for longer periods of time before being flushed out to sea. Eli Shingleton has more on how scientists and community leaders are working to lessen the impact of these plastics on river health.