{"id":13410,"date":"2025-03-30T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/?p=13410"},"modified":"2025-03-27T17:08:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T16:08:00","slug":"remove-recycle-reinvent-maelstroms-legacy-in-tackling-marine-litter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/news\/remove-recycle-reinvent-maelstroms-legacy-in-tackling-marine-litter\/","title":{"rendered":"Remove, recycle, reinvent: MAELSTROM\u2019s legacy in tackling marine litter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The European project MAELSTROM has officially concluded: more than 4 tonnes of marine litter have been removed, innovative technologies developed, and local communities actively engaged through an integrated approach to tackle plastic pollution. Awarded the Blue Rivers & Lakes Award for innovation, the project leaves a legacy poised to become a reference model across Europe. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic enter our seas, disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and endangering human health. Yet, the fight against marine litter does not begin on the beach or seabed. It starts much earlier\u2014along rivers, in cities, and through everyday consumer choices. That is why MAELSTROM stands as a concrete example of how science, technology and international cooperation can act as catalysts for transformation. This European initiative went beyond removing plastic from the sea\u2014it aimed to reshape our relationship with waste, turning it into a source of value, knowledge and change. <\/p>\n\n

That is why, in celebrating the International Day of Zero Waste<\/em>, we look at the MAELSTROM <\/a> project as a concrete example of how science, technology and international cooperation can act as catalysts for transformation. This European initiative went beyond removing plastic from the sea\u2014it aimed to reshape our relationship with waste, turning it into a source of value, knowledge and change. <\/p>\n\n

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A stream of innovation: MAELSTROM between technology and sustainability<\/h2>\n\n

Funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme, MAELSTROM<\/a>\u2014Smart technology for MArinE Litter SusTainable RemOval and Management<\/em>\u2014brought together 14 partners from 8 European countries to reduce the impact of marine litter in both coastal and riverine environments. Coordinated by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the Italian National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), the project followed an integrated trajectory combining environmental modelling, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and circular economy principles. <\/p>\n\n

The technologies developed and tested represented a breakthrough: on one side, the Bubble Barrier <\/em>deployed on the Ave River in Vila do Conde (Portugal), designed to intercept floating and sub-surface litter before it reaches the ocean, powered by solar energy; on the other, the Robotic Seabed Cleaning Platform, successfully operated in the Venice Lagoon, which removed over 2 tonnes of marine litter during campaigns in 2022 and 2023, functioning in both autonomous and teleoperated modes. <\/p>\n\n

Innovation did not stop at collection. The retrieved litter was classified, analysed and directed into advanced recycling processes\u2014transformed into new polymers, products and materials, ready to re-enter the production cycle. A tangible example of circular economy, demonstrating that even the most challenging waste streams, such as marine plastic litter, can be given a second life. <\/p>\n\n

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A multidimensional challenge: science, community, awareness<\/h2>\n\n

\u201cTechnology is a powerful tool, but it is not enough on its own. Addressing the marine litter problem requires a systemic transformation\u2014cultural even before technical,\u201d explains Isabel Gomes, researcher at CIMA Research Foundation and coordinator of MAELSTROM\u2019s Legacy Document<\/em><\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s why we integrated awareness-raising, community engagement, dialogue with policymakers, and support to public policy development.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Over its four-year duration, MAELSTROM activated citizen clean-up campaigns in Italy, Spain and Portugal, collaborated with schools and artists, organised public events and technological demonstrations. It was showcased at United Nations negotiations on plastic pollution (UNEP INC), bringing empirical evidence to the forefront of international diplomacy. The project promoted a renewed environmental literacy, grounded in scientific transparency and citizen participation. <\/p>\n\n

The results were tangible: over 4 tonnes of marine litter removed, new patented technologies, a mobile app for coastal litter monitoring, and numerous educational and research activities, including 10 Master\u2019s theses and 2 PhD programmes developed within the project. The impact extended to local communities in the pilot areas of Vila do Conde and Venice, where MAELSTROM helped raise awareness on marine pollution and the value of science-based, participatory solutions. <\/p>\n\n

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The project\u2019s legacy: the value of a living document<\/h2>\n\n

The Legacy Document<\/em><\/a>, coordinated by CIMA Research Foundation, stands as one of the project\u2019s most significant outputs. Far from being a mere collection of best practices, it is a living document, offering a scientifically rigorous account of the challenges faced, solutions adopted, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations for those planning future interventions against marine litter. <\/p>\n\n

Structured around the project\u2019s key phases\u2014from site selection to technological implementation and the transformation of recovered materials\u2014it provides practical tools for local authorities, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers. A legacy designed to support the development of new environmental policies, contribute to the definition of European standards, and strengthen territorial response capabilities. <\/p>\n\n

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\u201cWe wanted to include the difficulties, because that\u2019s where the most important lessons come from,\u201d adds Isabel Gomes. \u201cThe value of the Legacy Document lies in its honesty\u2014it does not conceal challenges, but analyses them, places them in context, and offers solutions. Only in this way can we hope to bring about real change.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

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An award-winning project, a model to replicate<\/h2>\n\n

MAELSTROM\u2019s value has been recognised internationally. The project received three major awards: the Atlantic Project Award<\/em> in the category \u201cHealthy Oceans and Resilient Coasts 2023\u20132024\u201d, the European Robotics Sustainability Leadership Recognition 2024<\/em>, and the Blue Rivers and Lakes Award for innovation<\/em>. These accolades highlight not only the technical quality of the developed solutions, but also the consortium\u2019s ability to merge science, social impact, and systemic vision. <\/p>\n\n

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The project has also been acknowledged as a best practice in citizen science and community engagement. It will be featured at the upcoming EGU 2025 conference, during the session Empowering Communities: Citizen Science and Engagement in Tackling Plastic Pollution<\/em><\/a>, as an exemplary case of public participation in scientific research and in the fight against plastic pollution. <\/p>\n\n

Although the MAELSTROM project has officially concluded, its legacy continues to generate value\u2014through recycled materials, empowered citizens, and scalable technologies. Fondazione CIMA remains committed to building on this legacy to shape new pathways for innovation and sustainability. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The European project MAELSTROM has officially concluded: more than 4 tonnes of marine litter have been removed, innovative technologies developed, and local communities actively engaged through an integrated approach to tackle plastic pollution. Awarded the Blue Rivers & Lakes Award for innovation, the project leaves a legacy poised to become a reference model across Europe. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[128],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-13410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planning-and-procedures","tag-sea"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13411,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13410\/revisions\/13411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}