UPSTREAM: stopping plastic before it reaches the sea

Plastic released into the environment gradually breaks down into increasingly smaller particles. Microplastics can enter sewer networks, pass through wastewater treatment plants and reach rivers and seas.

Addressing this issue requires action at more than one point. It means preventing the formation of microplastics, identifying and measuring them, removing those already present and finding new uses for the materials recovered.

The UPSTREAM project tests a range of technologies in different European treatment plants and rivers, following four main directions: monitoring, prevention, removal and valorisation of the plastics collected.

The solutions are tested before, during and after wastewater treatment, as well as directly in rivers, in order to assess their effectiveness, sustainability and potential application in other areas.

Partner

UPSTREAM brings together partners from 11 countries, including research centres, universities, water service operators, technology companies and organisations involved in citizen engagement.

• San Giuliano Milanese Ovest wastewater treatment plant: testing of biodegradable bioplastics and analysis of their behaviour during wastewater treatment; the area is connected to the Lambro river basin.
• Stoke-on-Trent and Redditch plants, United Kingdom: recovery of cellulose and microplastics and testing of a natural daphnia-based treatment.
• Zaragoza plant, Spain: rapid detection of microplastics, membrane filtration and testing of new materials.
• Landau-Mörlheim plant, Germany: removal of microplastics and treatment of pollutants using ultraviolet light.
• Danube, Serbia: drone monitoring and use of floating platforms to collect waste from the river surface and bed.