MARC stops plastic waste before it reaches the North Sea

A large amount of plastic waste reaches the North Sea via rivers and inland waterways. The European TREASURE project is exploring how this waste can be better detected and removed along the way. In five living labs around the North Sea, different solutions are being tested in practice. The Belgian living lab is located in Nieuwpoort and focuses on the water system around the Ganzepoot.

One of the solutions being tested in Nieuwpoort is MARC (Marine River Cleaner). The system was developed by our members IMDC, Multi.engineering and Herbosch-Kiere, and was demonstrated on 23 October during TREASURE’s final stakeholder meeting

MARC uses a bubble curtain on the riverbed to guide floating plastic towards a collection point. This allows the waste to be captured before it flows through the Ganzepoot and into the North Sea. As the system operates below the water surface, it does not obstruct shipping and allows fish to pass safely.

Despite the arrival of Storm Austen, the demonstration was still able to go ahead during a brief spell of calmer weather. Over the next six weeks, MARC will undergo extensive testing and further optimisation.

The final stakeholder meeting also presented the main findings from Living Lab Nieuwpoort. Researchers examined where litter comes from, how plastic moves through the local water system and how residents and tourists perceive the issue. The needs of water managers and policymakers were also discussed.

The findings provide a better understanding of where and how plastic pollution can be tackled. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the stakeholders involved to discuss the next steps.