Microplastics have been found in the most remote areas of the Baltic Sea as well as in drinking water, but the real extent and consequences of the problem is unknown. Recovering microplastics from the sea is extremely difficult and costly, if not impossible with existing technologies. Therefore, measures should be focused on mitigating sources and removing the microplastics before they enter the sea. There is currently a knowledge gap on actual removal technologies and policies to implement preventive measures or removal technologies.

FanpLESStic-sea is a project, working with preventing and decreasing the pollution of microplastics in water and the Baltic Sea. The project will increase knowledge and understanding about dispersal pathways and sources through measurements in different flows in society, as well as cost-effective methods to reduce microplastics.

FanpLESStic-sea is supported by the EU Interreg program with project partners in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Together we are working for a better environment in the Baltic Sea.

SALT is responsible for the dissemination of project results, including reports on barriers and ways forward, to increase institutional capacity on up-stream and problem-targeted methods to remove microplastics.