On 20-21 November, the European project TRAP – Freeing Our Rivers from Plastics was officially launched with a kickoff meeting in Lisbon and Coruche (Portugal). The partnership included a visit to a project’s pilot site, in the banks of the Sorraia River, the Portuguese tributary of the Tejo River with the largest hydrographic basin.
Aiming at tackling plastic pollution in rivers, the goal of TRAP is to develop guidelines for the installation of devices in rivers and estuaries, using an approach that combines digital tools, nature-based solutions, and community engagement to capture and retain plastics. Its strategy integrates hydrodynamic modelling, nature-based retention structures, and co-creation with local stakeholders to reduce plastic leakage into marine environments.
A core pillar of TRAP is its participatory approach. Local communities in all partner countries will help design, test, and refine solutions, working side by side with the scientific team, in what is called a citizen science approach. Their involvement is essential not only for shaping the tools and methods developed, but also for raising awareness and becoming active guardians of their rivers.
The project is led by Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), an engineering, science, and technology school in Portugal, part of the University of Lisbon, and implemented by a consortium of nine partners across Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland.
Aiming at tackling plastic pollution in rivers, the goal of TRAP is to develop guidelines for the installation of devices in rivers and estuaries, using an approach that combines digital tools, nature-based solutions, and community engagement to capture and retain plastics. Its strategy integrates hydrodynamic modelling, nature-based retention structures, and co-creation with local stakeholders to reduce plastic leakage into marine environments.
A core pillar of TRAP is its participatory approach. Local communities in all partner countries will help design, test, and refine solutions, working side by side with the scientific team, in what is called a citizen science approach. Their involvement is essential not only for shaping the tools and methods developed, but also for raising awareness and becoming active guardians of their rivers.
The project is led by Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), an engineering, science, and technology school in Portugal, part of the University of Lisbon, and implemented by a consortium of nine partners across Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland.
Publish date: 2025-11-27
