Marine LitterWatch

Litter, plastics in particular, is accumulating in our seas and coasts. Information and data on marine litter is essential for tackling it. The European Environment Agency has developed Marine LitterWatch mobile app to strengthen Europe’s knowledge base and thus provide support to European policy making.

At a glance

Marine LitterWatch in a nutshell
European citizens to help tackle marine litter

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How does it work?
Setting-up monitoring events
Organising clean-up events
Tools and guidelines

Communities

List of communities

Data and results

Marine LitterWatch data viewer and download

Feedback

Feedback survey

Related content

Interactive charts

News and articles

New data collected by citizens: Cigarette butts and filters the most common pieces of litter on Europe’s beaches The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released new data about litter found on Europe’s beaches. Based on nearly 700,000 collected items, disposable plastics are the biggest contributor to marine litter, with cigarette butts and filters being the most commonly found individual items. The new data has been collected by volunteers using the EEA’s Marine LitterWatch mobile app.
When plastics fill our oceans Our consumption and production patterns generate waste, a part of which ends up as litter in our oceans. Why is preventing marine litter important for the environment and the health of our seas in particular? What is Europe doing to prevent marine litter? We asked these questions to Constança Belchior, who works on marine assessments and impacts of marine litter at the European Environment Agency.
Litter in our seas Around 70 % of our planet is covered by oceans and marine litter can be found almost everywhere. Marine litter, plastics in particular, pose a threat not only to the health of our seas and coasts, but also to our economy and our communities. Most marine litter is generated by land-based activities. How can we stop the flow of litter into our seas? The best place to start tackling this global marine problem is on land.
New mobile phone app will help track marine litter People will soon be able to report the litter they find on the beach, thanks to a new mobile phone app developed by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Ten things everyone should know about Europe's productive seas A recent assessment by the European Environment Agency (EEA) showed that European seas are in a worrying state. As policy makers meet to discuss the marine environment that sustains maritime development, the EEA summarises ten important facts about the ecosystems beneath the waves.
Marine litter – a growing threat worldwide Increasing amounts of litter are ending up in the world’s oceans and harming the health of ecosystems, killing animals when they become trapped or swallow the litter. Human health is also at risk, as plastics may break down into smaller pieces that may subsequently end up in our food. These are just a few of the problems emerging from the waste collecting in our seas.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/europes-seas-and-coasts/assessments/marine-litterwatch or scan the QR code.

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