AdriPlast - Adriatic Sea and plastic and microplastic pollution from freshwaters – an Adrion territorial challenge

Pollution stands as a primary driver of biodiversity decline, exerting detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. The presence of litter (mainly plastic) within aquatic environment (encompassing freshwater, transitional and marine ecosystems) is mostly attributed to diverse factors such as improper waste disposal and slow degradation. This pervasive issue encompasses economic, environmental, health, and social dimensions, with increasing concerns regarding the hazards and possible adverse effects of (nano-micro-macro) plastics on marine and freshwater organisms, ecosystems, economies and human health.
Accordingly, plastic pollution is considered as a complex transboundary environmental problem, necessitating coordinated cross-border initiatives, entailing broad-based awareness-raising efforts among diverse stakeholders spanning from local to global. For instance, beside the Marine Strategy, at European level, pressure from plastics is notably addressed through the implementation of the European Strategy for Plastics and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, while the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 underscores the imperative for intensified efforts to mitigate pollution.
Within this framework, our project, AdriPlast, aims to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in the partner’s country areas in the Adriatic-Ionian region. With the overarching goal of mitigating environmental degradation and protecting biodiversity, our main objectives include:
Enhancing transnational collaboration: We're bringing together stakeholders from six partner states— Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania—to promote joint efforts in combating plastic pollution, a significant threat underlying the growing environmental challenges necessitating global intervention.
Identifying and addressing key challenges: Through comprehensive research and analysis, we're tackling the root causes of plastic pollution, including improper waste disposal, ineffective waste management practices, and the prevalence of single-use plastics.
Developing sustainable solutions: We're working towards implementing effective strategies to monitor, mitigate, and ultimately reduce plastic pollution in aquatic environments, encompassing freshwater, transitional, and marine ecosystems.

Key Outputs: 

• Enhanced comprehension of plastic pollution dimensions within pilot sites through monitoring activities, data analysis, and comprehensive analysis of potential solutions resulting in the establishment of a comprehensive shared database
• A roadmap for monitoring and mitigating plastic pollution: We're developing a joint methodology for monitoring and analysing plastic and microplastic in different aquatic systems and a comprehensive plan at both the Adriatic and regional scales to guide our efforts in combating plastic pollution, with a focus on citizen involvement and nature conservation. The partners will define and stipulate an "Agreement", with the aim of strengthening joint research regarding plastic and microplastic pollution and of promoting exchanges between scientists as well as stimulating new joint projects involving the partners.
• Transnational networks and knowledge sharing: Through our project, we aim to implement a specific database containing the project results and solutions to mitigate plastic pollution, we also aim to establish robust networks among stakeholders, public authorities, and the general public to facilitate the exchange of best practices and resources in addressing plastic pollution.
• Awareness-raising and capacity-building activities: We're organizing various events, workshops, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and empower communities to take action. Partners will prepare guidelines for cleaning operations to enhance citizen sciences, while educational material will be distributed to relevant stakholders and published on AdriPlast website.