Pitt, KatieRoss, JamesPaterson, Adrian2024-10-282024-10-232024-10-232024-09-180301-4223J8I8K (isidoc)https://hdl.handle.net/10182/17781Microplastic residue left in the environment from plastic chewcards in three pest mammal monitoring operations was estimated at an average of 15% of the starting weight. This finding highlight the issue of single-use plastics within New Zealand’s (NZ) conservation sector. A review of other research operations across NZ shows a significant number of plastic chewcards are deployed, potentially contributing to microplastic pollution in environmentally sensitive areas. Our research shows the need for sustainable alternatives to plastic chewcards in order to mitigate the environmental impact. Alongside an estimation of microplastic being left in the environment, we evaluated wood-pulp chewcards as a potential alternative to corflute chewcards, with results indicating wood-pulp cards maintain comparable interaction rates across key pest species. By identifying the environmental issues of microplastics in the environment and offering a potential alternative, we aim to open a dialogue about adopting more sustainable tools and practices in the NZ conservation sector.13 pagesen© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupNew Zealandsustainableplastic-freeconservationmonitoringJournal Article10.1080/03014223.2024.24073351175-8821ANZSRC::410401 Conservation and biodiversityANZSRC::410407 Wildlife and habitat managementANZSRC::410599 Pollution and contamination not elsewhere classifiedANZSRC::410402 Environmental assessment and monitoringANZSRC::3109 Zoologyhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives