Romania officially joins the European research map on macro and microplastic pollution with the launch of the Plastic Pirates initiative in Cluj. The project, which originated in Germany and is funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe program, highlights the urgent need to protect river ecosystems through concrete actions and rigorous scientific data collection. Plastic Pirates is regarded as one of the most important initiatives in the field of Citizen Science – a collaborative model that brings together researchers and active citizens who directly contribute to understanding and solving today’s environmental challenges.
The first step toward this collaboration was taken by the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering at Babeș-Bolyai University, positioning Cluj at the forefront of participatory research in monitoring plastic pollution.
When and Where?
On the 6th of May, the commune of Florești will host the first sampling event for macro and microplastics in the Someșul Mic River.
Students and high school pupils from Cluj-Napoca will work side by side to collect data on plastic pollution, which will later be analyzed and added to a European database. This database compiles information from the rivers across the continent with the goal of creating one of the most comprehensive studies on macro and microplastic pollution levels in Europe.
This initiative is not just a scientific exercise – it is a call to action for a young generation that wants to change the world, starting with their own city and their own river.
Plastic Pirates is about more than just measurements and sampling; it is also about education, collaboration, and responsibility. It stands as a clear example of how research, academia, and youth can work together for a cleaner future.
