From local action to regional impact: Tackling ocean-bound plastic together Plastic pollution does not stop at national borders. Rivers and waterways connect communities across the South Baltic region, carrying litter from inland areas to the sea. Addressing this challenge requires more than local action alone. It requires collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a common commitment to …
On 21 May 2026, Flow of Plastic – International Final Conference brought together partners, companies, researchers, public organisations and circular economy frontrunners at STUDIO Malmö. A glimpse into the atmosphere at Flow of Plastic – International Final Conference in Malmö, where partners, companies, researchers and public organisations from across the South Baltic region came together …
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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …