The primary goal of LIVES is realisation of a coordinated cross border approach in reduction of plastic waste in the river Meuse basin. Analysis of de current waste situation, measures for waste reduction such as awareness campaigns and testing litter traps and agreements on sustainability. Although there are several initiatives on a local level, LIVES’ objective is to stimulate a coherent cross border approach by determining the broad impact of litter in the river Meuse basin.
The goals are brought down into 3 workpackages:
- Analysis of the current situation in the Meuse basin; Inventory and data sharing
- Taking Measures;
- Cross border institutional arrangements
Within the LIVES-project all partners work together in workpackages. Each workpackage has its own aim and approach. To strengthen the approach and help realise the workpackage aim partners collaborate with interested parties within their region.
Workpackage 1:
Inventory and data sharing
Aim
Setting up a multi annual overview of the extent of the plastic litter pollution and distribution in the Meuse basin, sharing data and discussing removal possibilities.
Approach
~ Mapping the distribution of plastic litter (hot spots)
~ Building a cross-border dataset on river litter in Meuse basin
~ Additional monitoring (results from WP-2: taking measures)
~ Inventory of best monitoring practices
~ Evaluation best practices and monitoring results
~ Summary report on river litter distribution in Meuse basin
Good Practice
Cross-border dataset developed by Schone Rivieren through
Citizen Science on the borders of the Common Meuse
(Netherlands-Flanders)
Workpackage 1:
Inventory and data sharing
Workpackage 2:
Taking measures
Workpackage 2:
Taking measures
Aim
~ Testing and benchmarking techniques to reduce plastic litter in the Meuse basin
Approach
~ Innovative projects on measures and approaches
~ Cross-border coordinated clean-up actions
~ Benchmarking 5 different river litter trap techniques in different streams
~ Evaluation best practices and techniques
~ Summary report on best practices of prevention actions, coordinated clean-up actions and litter trap techniques
Good Practice
Heliscreen (Landgraaf), Noria Plastic Schep (Borgharen), Plastic Wokkel prototype (HS Zuyd)
Workpackage 3:
Institutional arrangements
Aim
~ Crossborder institutional arrangements on prevention, removal and sensibilisation
Approach
~ Sensibilisation of companies and consumers through stakeholder campaigns
~ Euregional education programs
~ Euregional river litter day
~ Agreements between governments
~ Joint cross-border political advise for prevention and removal of river litter in Meuse catchment
Good Practice
Vlaamse Mooimakers: communication and information campaigns on the prevention and cleaning up of litter in Flanders, MOOC on Marine Litter (OU), Dutch network Schone Rivieren (Clean Rivers Network)