FanpLESStic-sea
Microplastic pollution
Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, coming from e.g. cosmetics, clothes and bottles, that pollute the Baltic Sea and drinking water. The extent of pollution and consequences for the natural ecosystem have not been yet examined. There is also a knowledge gap on possible removal technologies and a lack of policy framework to support prevention and removal activities. The focus of the project FanpLESStic-sea is to track the sources of microplastics as a means of preventing microplastics from entering the sea.
FanpLESStic-sea project involves partner organisations in eight countries around the Baltic Sea, i.e. Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. It works with municipalities, water utilities and associations, national policy makers and research communities.
What is FanpLESStic-sea about?
The project FanpLESStic-sea improves the knowledge where microplastics come from and what their transport pathways are. The project also sets up a model to understand and better visualize the microplastic pathways. New technologies can prevent or reduce microplastic leakage into watercourses. Therefore, the project partners evaluate and pilot methods for filtering microplastics away, removing microplastics from stormwater, and implementing sustainable drainage solutions.
The project also defines innovative governance frameworks to better engage decision makers and other relevant players in implementing cost-effective methods to reduce microplastics. These include locally adapted investment proposals and plans for each partner’s region.
Budgets
in numbers
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2.97MillionTotal
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2.05MillionErdf
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0.09MillionEni + Russia
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0.13MillionNorway
Highlights by mid-term
The project partners worked together to map flows and pathways of microplastic in their regions. This mapping and, also, sampling activities provided an input to model of microplastic flows that is developed by the universities in cooperation with water utilities and authorities as a tool to better understand how microplastics travel and enter the ecosystem from different sources.
To raise awareness of general public about problems of microplastics and solutions to mitigate or prevent microplastic pollution, educational organisations and local authorities organised several events, including a cleaning campaign on the beaches of Kaliningrad and the “Decode the plastic” campaign in Poland.
Outputs
Project Stories
Partners
Sweden Water Research (SWR)
- TownMalmö
- RegionSkåne län
- CountrySweden
- RepresentativeMarinette Hagman
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Luleå University of Technology (LTU)
- TownLuleå
- RegionNorrbottens län
- CountrySweden
- RepresentativeHeléne Österlund
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Aalborg University (AAU)
- TownAalborg Ø
- RegionNordjylland
- CountryDenmark
- RepresentativeJes Vollertsen
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
- TownHelsinki
- RegionHelsinki-Uusimaa
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativeJyri Maunuksela
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)
- TownHelsinki
- RegionHelsinki-Uusimaa
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativeMarta Ruiz
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE)
- TownRiga
- RegionRīga
- CountryLatvia
- RepresentativeIeva Putna-Nimane
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Gdanks Water Utilities Ltd. (GIWK)
- TownGdansk
- RegionGdański
- CountryPoland
- RepresentativeMonika Piotrowska - Szypryt
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Gdansk Water Ltd. (GW)
- TownGdansk
- RegionTrójmiejski
- CountryPoland
- RepresentativeWojciech Szpakowski
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
State Autonomous Institution of the Kaliningrad region "Environmental Center "ECAT-Kaliningrad" (ECAT)
- TownKaliningrad
- RegionKaliningrad Oblast
- CountryRussian Federation
- RepresentativeOlga Sheshukova
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Siauliai Chambers of Commerce, Indusrty and Crafts (SCCIC)
- TownSiailiai
- RegionŠiaulių apskritis
- CountryLithuania
- RepresentativeDaiva Jonuskiene
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Salt Lofoten AS (SALT)
- TownSvolvær
- RegionNordland
- CountryNorway
- RepresentativeKjersti Eline Tønnessen Busch
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
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Project managerJesper KönigSweden Water Research
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Legal representativeHenrik AspegrenSweden Water Research (SWR)
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Financial managerCarina HertzmanSweden Water Research, SWR
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Communication managerMalin NydesjöSweden Water Research, SWR