Publications
Download our latest findings, reports, press releases, and more.
13-04-2026
Publication: Feasible method for riverine litter monitoring
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 monitoring, based on a case study of the Warnow River in Germany.
24-03-2026
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 provides scientific evidence that recycled polypropylene recovered from the Aarhus River can potentially retain functional material properties suitable for reuse.
25-11-2025
New publication: A review of ocean-bound plastic from source to solution
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 river barriers to emerging robotic systems.
06-11-2025
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 is the first continuous, 24-hour monitoring of floating macro-litter in the Baltic Sea region. It highlights how high-resolution, real-time data can transform understanding of riverine litter flows, and help design targeted strategies to stop plastic pollution at its source.
12-08-2025
Report: Spatial Assessment of Litter Pollution Along Urban Riverfronts
Our latest report, Spatial Assessment of Litter Pollution Along Urban Riverfronts, 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 the highest pollution risks.
19-02-2025
Report: Pathways for Cleaning Collected Ocean-bound Plastic
How can we effectively clean ocean-bound plastic (OBP) to make it suitable for recycling? Our latest report, Pathways for Cleaning Collected Ocean-Bound Plastic, explores innovative cleaning methods that enhance the quality of recovered plastics while maintaining cost-efficiency and sustainability.
08-01-2025
Report: Business Opportunities
Explore the innovative landscape of tackling marine plastic pollution with our latest report on Business Opportunities in the market for ocean-bound plastic. This report highlights the vast potential for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the South Baltic Sea Region to engage in sustainable practices by addressing ocean-bound plastic (OBP) waste.
18-12-2024
Report: Plastic Waste Streams into South Baltic on a Country Level
In-depth analysis of plastic waste sources and pathways, focusing on pilot cities in Denmark (Aarhus), Germany (Rostock), Poland (Gdansk), and the associated area in Sweden (Malmö). The report examines solutions for collecting and recycling ocean-bound plastic, as well as a policy analysis on a country level.
07-08-2024
Joint press release: PortBins in Rostock’s City Harbor to Collect Plastic Waste
In a joint initiative by the University of Rostock and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), supported by the Harbor and Maritime Office of the City of Rostock, waste containers for collecting plastic waste from the Warnow River have been installed in Rostock’s city harbor. This measure aims to capture plastic waste before it reaches the Baltic Sea and contributes to marine debris.
18-03-2024
Mini report: Ocean-bound plastic collection methodology in Europe
Overview on Ocean-bound plastic collection methodology in Europe – Desk research and information collection. This mini report provides an overview of ocean-bound plastic collection methods in Europe with a focus on collection methods in waterways for macro plastics.
08-01-2024
Press Release
Circular Ocean-bound Plastic (COP), a new Interreg project, has been initiated to address the growing challenge of plastic pollution in the South Baltic Sea by focusing on the collection and recycling of plastic at the source through an international partnership.