---
title: What is Let's Strain the Drains?
description: What is Let's Strain the Drains?
---

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29 January 2026

# What is Let's Strain the Drains?

## An innovative project that began in Victoria in 2019 to fill the data gap on land-based sources of marine debris in Port Phillip Bay.

Interest from the scientific community in studying plastic pollution in Port Phillip Bay revealed a data gap in relation to land-based sources of marine debris.

In 2019, Tangaroa Blue Foundation launched Let's Strain the Drains - working alongside councils and community partners to analyse litter originating in urban areas. This was done by installing 120 stormwater drain traps in 6 council areas, then analysing and recording the litter captured in these traps in the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database.

We run regular Let's Stain the Drains events in collaboration with Port Phillip EcoCentre. Why not volunteer at our next LSTD event? [Contact us for more information.](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org)

### Partners of the Let’s Strain the Drain Project

- Port Phillip EcoCentre
- Cleanwater Group
- Sustainability Victoria
- City of Greater Dandenong
- Wyndham City Council
- Glen Eira City Council
- Kingston Council
- City of Maribyrnong
- City of Melbourne
- Vicinity Centres
- Glen Eira City Council
- Pipe Management Australia
- Victorian Government EPA

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