Innovative and sustainable solutions for plastic-free European rivers: prevention and elimination of litter, plastics and microplastics

European rivers are the main source of plastic litter, plastic and microplastic(L-P-MPs) discharging into the EU marine environment. To support Mission Starfish 2030, UN SDG6 Clean water & Sanitation, UN SDG14 Life Below Water and UN Decade of Ocean Science, mitigating plastic pollution in EU seas is critical. Many innovative solutions have been developed by previous and ongoing projects. PlasticREM will test, validate and demonstrate technologies, tools and methods to transform the most promising from TRL< 5 into cost-effective technologies with TRL≥7, implementable at piloting phase in EU rivers. The PlasticREM ambitions are to (a)develop effective monitoring strategies for L-P-MPs in rivers by harmonizing sampling, sample preparation and analytical protocols using beyond state-of-art techniques and methods, (b)generate data on riverine sources, transport and fate (e.g.degradation, fragmentation, sedimentation and biofilm formation) of L-P-MPs and use this to develop models for predicting L-P-MPs transport in EU rivers, facilitating development of targeted remediation and mitigation actions, (c)test, validate and demonstrate 5 upstream prevention solutions and 3 elimination solutions for L-P-MPs in EU rivers. Research outcomes and beyond state-of-art technologies will be integrated through cooperation with SMEs and large industries to develop and implement innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions in line with EU taxonomy regulation and delegated acts. To reach ambitious goal, PlasticREM Consortium comprises leading companies, SMEs and research organizations from across EU. Partners have pioneered strategies, methods and tools for measuring, monitoring, modelling, prevention and elimination of L-P-MPs and led/participated in EU projects such as PlasticsFate, BONUS-Micropoll, LIFE SouPLess. PlasticREM will deliver scientific, environmental, social and economic impact enabling actions and paving way to implementation of sustainable solutions in EU rivers.