Publication: Polymer composition of river-collected plastic

Polymer composition of river-collected plastic – Report What types of plastic are found in river-collected waste, and what does that mean for recycling? This report presents findings from river collection case studies in Aarhus and Gdańsk, highlighting the diversity of polymer types, common contamination challenges, and the practical considerations involved in recycling ocean-bound plastic. Drawing …

Publication: Feasible method for riverine litter monitoring

A feasible method for riverine macro litter monitoring – A case study of the Warnow River Rivers are a key pathway for plastic pollution to reach the sea – but monitoring river litter effectively remains a challenge. This new report from the Circular Ocean-bound Plastic project presents a practical, field-tested approach to riverine macro litter …

Event: Flow of Plastic – International Final Conference

Join us at the International Final Conference – Flow of Plastic on 21 May, 2026 in Malmö, Sweden for inspiring talks, interactive sessions, and an exhibition showcasing solutions for circular plastic in retail and ocean-bound plastic collection. The event is organised by the Circular Ocean-bound Plastic (COP) and Retail Relooped (RELOOPED) projects under the Interreg …

Aarhus-river-plastic-waste

Publication: Mechanical performance of recycled ocean-bound plastic

Mechanical tests & material analysis on recycled samples – A case from Aarhus river Plastic collected from rivers is often seen as waste, but it can also be a resource. This report from the Circular Ocean-bound Plastic project, carried out by our partner, Plast Center Denmark, provides scientific evidence that recycled polypropylene recovered from the …

EMEC25: Exploring green solvent-based recycling of riverine plastic waste

At the 25th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry (EMEC25) in Chania, Crete, on November 23-25, Patrycja Jutrzenka Trzebiatowska (University of Gdańsk) presented the COP project’s latest research on innovative, greener approach to recycling riverine plastic waste. The poster, “Green Solvent-Based Recycling of Riverine Plastic Waste,” showcases how the team successfully applied cymene, a more sustainable …

New publication: A review of ocean-bound plastic from source to solution

Utilization routes of plastic waste from the marine environment: a review This review presents a comprehensive overview of the latest research conducted over the past five years in the monitoring, collection, cleaning, recycling, and valorization of marine plastic litter. The report highlights the latest technologies for tracking and collecting ocean-bound plastic waste, from drones and …

New study: Two years of daily river litter monitoring in Aarhus

Two years of daily monitoring of floating macro-litter at the River-Sea interface: Aarhus River, Denmark This study by our partners Mirco Haseler (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research) and Geraldo Mihut (Plast Center Danmark) has delivered the first continuous, 24-hour monitoring of floating macro-litter in the Baltic Sea region. The Circular Ocean-bound Plastic project monitored …

Report: Spatial Assessment of Litter Pollution Potential Along Urban Riverfronts in the Baltic Region

Spatial Assessment of Litter Pollution Potential Along Urban Riverfronts in the Baltic Region – A comparative study of Aarhus, Gdańsk, and Rostock Our latest report maps potential litter “hotspots” in Aarhus, Gdańsk, and Rostock. Using detailed GIS analysis and local stakeholder input, we pinpoint where human activity, public access, and river proximity combine to create …

Press Release: Innovative pilot project against cigarette waste

Rostock, July 25, 2025 Joint press release by the University of Rostock and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea ResearchWarnemünde (IOW) Innovative pilot project against cigarette waste: “Warnow Ashtrays” go into operation in Rostock’s city harbor Five special cigarette waste containers – so-called “Warnow Ashtrays” – were installed this week in Rostock’s city harbor between …

Presentation at the 12th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management

📍Rostock, Germany At the 12th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Cyprus in June 2025, Mona-Maria Narra from University of Rostock presented a poster on behalf of the Circular Ocean-bound Plastic (COP) project, showcasing the results from our pilot area in Rostock, Germany. As part of the COP project, Rostock was selected as …