The BluePoint project, led by Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa and supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, has launched an innovative mobile application that accelerates the identification of plastic waste on Atlantic beaches, enabling more efficient and targeted clean-up actions by citizens. The project is exploring circular and entrepreneurial solutions to address the global challenge of marine plastic pollution.
The new app was developed by the Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems (CRIS) at the University of Limerick (Ireland) and is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. By combining drone-based aerial imagery with machine-learning techniques, researchers can accurately map the locations where plastic waste accumulates along coastlines. This information is then integrated into a free mobile app, which provides volunteers with precise GPS coordinates to support focused and effective clean-up efforts.
“The plastic detection platform accepts drone imagery from any source, such as ordinary people flying their own drones”, explains Gerard Dooly, researcher and Irish partner of the BluePoint project, in an article published by The Conversation.
As part of the project’s implementation, CRIS distributed more than 30 drones to project partners, including county councils and environmental organisations, to test the system in real-world conditions. Feedback has been highly positive, as reflected in video testimonials collected during a clean-up action in Spanish Point (County Clare, Ireland).
The event brought together Transition Year students from Newtown School, alongside members of Tramore Tidy Towns and the Tramore Eco Group, for an engaging two-day programme. Participants used the app to verify litter locations, learned about the far-reaching impacts of marine plastic pollution, and trialled emerging beach-cleaning technologies in collaboration with partners from the University of Limerick. The event also encouraged creativity, with participants designing sand art inspired by innovation and environmental responsibility.
Through initiatives such as this, the BluePoint project demonstrates how advanced digital technologies can empower communities, foster environmental awareness, and contribute to cleaner and more sustainable Atlantic coastlines.
The new app was developed by the Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems (CRIS) at the University of Limerick (Ireland) and is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. By combining drone-based aerial imagery with machine-learning techniques, researchers can accurately map the locations where plastic waste accumulates along coastlines. This information is then integrated into a free mobile app, which provides volunteers with precise GPS coordinates to support focused and effective clean-up efforts.
“The plastic detection platform accepts drone imagery from any source, such as ordinary people flying their own drones”, explains Gerard Dooly, researcher and Irish partner of the BluePoint project, in an article published by The Conversation.
As part of the project’s implementation, CRIS distributed more than 30 drones to project partners, including county councils and environmental organisations, to test the system in real-world conditions. Feedback has been highly positive, as reflected in video testimonials collected during a clean-up action in Spanish Point (County Clare, Ireland).
The event brought together Transition Year students from Newtown School, alongside members of Tramore Tidy Towns and the Tramore Eco Group, for an engaging two-day programme. Participants used the app to verify litter locations, learned about the far-reaching impacts of marine plastic pollution, and trialled emerging beach-cleaning technologies in collaboration with partners from the University of Limerick. The event also encouraged creativity, with participants designing sand art inspired by innovation and environmental responsibility.
Through initiatives such as this, the BluePoint project demonstrates how advanced digital technologies can empower communities, foster environmental awareness, and contribute to cleaner and more sustainable Atlantic coastlines.
Publish date: 2026-02-05
