TRAP

Plastic pollution poses a severe threat to the biodiversity and ecological integrity of aquatic environments across the Atlantic Region, impacting both natural habitats and the communities that rely on them.

TRAP proposes eco-friendly solutions to reduce plastic litter reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The main goal is to produce guidelines to design hotspots to trap and retain plastics in rivers and estuaries. It offers an innovative approach to tackle aquatic plastic pollution by combining advanced digital tools, nature-based solutions and community engagement.

Two field sites have been identified within river catchments in Ireland and Spain reflecting differing but reflective conditions across Europe. Ballygow Farm is a mixed use farm located near Fethard on sea, in Wexford (Ireland). A previous monitoring programme used a rain gauge (tipping gauge) to understand the “input” of precipitation and its impact on the stream discharge and flood peaks, furthermore visual data is available on previous flood events at this site. The second test will be in Galicia, within the catchment of Ulla river, in Cantabria, that discharges 4 tons of plastic to the Atlantic ocean every year.

Key outputs of TRAP include a digital management tool for identifying plastic retention hotspots, field-tested retention solutions, and practical guidelines for decision-makers. Beneficiaries range from environmental agencies to local authorities and riverine communities.