Meijer Announces Names for Its Beach-Cleaning BeBots

Last month, in partnership with the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC), a joint initiative of the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) and Pollution Probe, Meijer launched the "Name the BeBots" contest, inviting communities across the Great Lakes Region to help name their fleet of innovative robotic beach cleaners. These remote-controlled BeBots are designed to sift through sand, removing litter and microplastics that pose a threat to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The BeBots are operated by local partners at locations across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Now, thanks to the creativity of participating communities, each one has a unique name that reflects its mission and local identity. The winning names are:

"With generous support from Meijer, CGLR Foundation and the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup have been working with dedicated partners to operate the BeBots and clean up beaches and shorelines across the Great Lakes region," said Lora Shrake, Interim Executive Director of CGLR Foundation. "As we enter our third year of this important partnership, it is only fitting that each BeBot is given a name that reflects the unique spirit of the communities they serve. The naming competition has been a fun and meaningful way to boost engagement and awareness, and we're thrilled with the participation we've seen from community members."

Meijer extends sincere thanks to all who participated in the contest, all the winners received a $100 Meijer gift card. The enthusiasm and creativity shown throughout the process highlight a shared commitment to protecting natural resources. The BeBots will continue to support efforts to preserve the beauty and health of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

To learn more about CGLR, visit councilgreatlakesregion.org.