F(ol)low the Plastic from source to the sea: Tisa-Danube integrated action plan to eliminate plastic pollution of rivers

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Despite the advanced waste management and ambitious recycling objectives of the EU, studies indicate the presence of plastic and microplastic pollution in rivers of CE. From a water quality perspective, it is a challenge to prevent this new threat. For this reason, Tid(y)Up project is focusing on the improvement of water quality and reduction of plastic pollution of the Tisa river from its source to the Black Sea. Currently there are no standard methods and consistent data available on plastic pollution of rivers in the Danube Basin that would help harmonized actions of water management authorities and allow cooperation with other sectors necessary to stop the pollution. Within the project partners develop and launch a set of integrated actions, consult and provide tools for relevant stakeholders and initiate long term transboundary and intersectoral cooperation with the aim of eliminating the plastic pollution of rivers. The project operates with a list of diverse tools including scientific actions to standardize methods for estimation of the size of pollution, formulating recommendations toward a standardized measurement and analyzing method, on-site expeditions, pilot-actions for identification and clean-up of polluted areas and sources, as well as education and awareness raising actions for the prevention. The novelty of the project is that it provides tools, data and the assessment of various used methodology for understanding of the sources, nature and risks of contamination flows; and delivers practical examples of possible actions and legislative solutions both on local and transnational level. The key focus is to gather all necessary information, raise awareness of the relevant actors and provide them with practical tools in order to create active, co-operating communities in the fight against the plastic waste contamination and contribute to the work of water authorities to improve water quality by also providing input for the upcoming revision of DRBMP.

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