Most marine litter originates on land, disperses into the environment, and is transported via rivers into the seas. As part of the monitoring programs under the Marine Strategy Directive, which provides a framework for community action in marine environmental policy, an Operational Agreement between the Ministry of the Environment (MASE) and ISPRA included a monitoring program on floating macro-litter in 12 Italian rivers at survey stations near their mouths.  The aim of the monitoring program was to verify the quantity and quality of riverine litter input to the marine environment, using a Source to Sea approach. Monitoring floating macro-litter in rivers is crucial as it serves as an indicator of both waste dispersed in the environment and the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing waste production and dispersion.

Global Partnership
on Plastic Pollution
and Marine Litter

Technical Resource

Discussion

Global Partnershipon Plastic Pollutionand Marine Litter

Technical Resource

Discussion

Global Partnership
on Plastic Pollution
and Marine Litter