The fight against microplastics

We are combating microplastics in European lakes. Through monitoring, education and the development of scientific principles. For better environmental protection and the protection of people from the dangerous consequences of microplastics.

Plastic waste pollutes waters worldwide. Plastic does not degrade, but is ground into small particles by wind and waves for decades or even centuries. This means that the plastic parts cannot simply be collected – they remain in the environment and enter the human body via the food chain. Environmental organizations can prove that every person consumes about the same amount of plastic as a credit card – around five grams – every week. Harmful (endocrine) effects are very likely.

There are several scientific studies on the effects of microplastics on oceans. There is considerably less data and knowledge available for inland waters. We want to change that. Together with our partner organizations, we focused on five European lakes for four years – Lake Constance and Lake Chiemsee in Germany, Lake Garda, Lake Bracciano and Lake Trasimeno in Italy). To develop solutions on how we can better protect our inland waters – drinking water reservoirs and valuable habitats.

Project area

Goals

The development of a lake paper as a voluntary commitment for local communities and interest groups to reduce plastic waste – from improving separate waste collection, lakeshore maintenance and environmental education to investments to improve water treatment plants.

The development of scientific protocols for the sampling and analysis of microplastics in lakes, drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. After all, politicians can only make decisions for better environmental protection and nature conservation on the basis of comparable, reliable figures.

A dialog and information campaign for companies in the cosmetics, tire and outdoor industries – the sectors that are largely responsible for microplastic pollution. To find solutions together.

Impacts

40

Municipalities bordering the five project lakes and 80 interest groups, including regional authorities, companies, tour operators and associations, sign the Lakes Paper, a voluntary commitment to reduce plastic waste.

250+

Companies were informed and involved through a lobbying campaign for European cosmetics, outdoor clothing and tire manufacturers about the risks of microplastics in connection with their products.

98%

of the water samples taken in the project lakes were contaminated with microplastics. We were able to establish this with the help of newly developed scientific protocols. A total of 9,000 plastic particles with a size of less than 5 millimeters were collected over two years.