At the end of 2024, the stunning landscapes of Sardinia hosted the webinar Plastic Fantastic: Sardinia Edition, organized by the HEUROPE REMEDIES project in collaboration with CNR IAS (National Research Council – Institute for the Study of Anthropogenic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment), Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, the University of Maribor, and Impact Hub Athens.
The webinar, structured into both theoretical and practical sessions, was held at the CNR-IAS headquarters in Torregrande (Oristano). It provided participants with insightful presentations on best practices for conducting effective marine litter cleanup and monitoring activities in harmony with natural ecosystems, the diversity of plastics based on their polymers, their varying recyclability, and fostering more conscious use of single-use plastics.
Following the theoretical portion of the webinar, attendees participated in a hands-on field experience. Guided by the expertise of Venice Lagoon Plastic Free and CNR IAS, participants took part in a practical cleanup and monitoring session at Is Arenas Beach. Among them were approximately fifteen young people from the Oristano Sea Scout program, which focuses on social inclusion, fostering independence, academic support, sports, and leisure activities for individuals with intellectual and relational disabilities. Their involvement added immense value to the event, inspiring everyone present with their enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication.
Venice Lagoon Plastic Free then led participants through the identification and categorization of plastic marine debris using two applications developed by VLPF. These tools work synergistically within the framework of the European Union’s Ocean Mission objectives.
For the monitoring of beached waste, a dedicated app developed as part of the REMEDIES project was used, allowing debris to be classified by type and size according to a standardized European protocol. For cleanup activities, a separate app developed by VLPF within the SeaClear2.0 project was utilized. This app supports education on plastic pollution and facilitates the organization of manual cleanup activities among groups, offering gamification features and calculating the plastic footprint of the actions undertaken.
By the end of the activity, the team had removed 36 kilograms of marine debris and cataloged 590 items, 531 of which were made of plastic.
Plastic Fantastic: Sardinia Edition proved to be an inspiring example of cooperation between science, research, civic engagement, and the third sector in protecting Sardinia’s coastline. This success was made possible through the combined efforts of REMEDIES partners, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, and CNR IAS.
Initiatives like this demonstrate how the integration of scientific knowledge with community actions can effectively deepen our understanding of the connection between humans and marine ecosystems. This approach is critical to achieving the goals of the Mission Ocean, which aims to reduce pollution and restore our seas and inland waters.
Everyone has a role to play in this mission.
