Imagine stopping trash from hitting the ocean by catching it in rivers first. Instead of just cleaning up, this project teaches people how to stop the waste at the source and use simple tools to turn that plastic into useful new products. It's like turning a local pollution problem into a neighborhood craft and innovation hub.
Plastic pollution in rivers is a rapidly growing threat that damages marine ecosystems. Current efforts often focus on cleanup after the damage is done, rather than preventing waste from entering the water.
A Mediterranean Toolbox and a set of affordable maker technologies to transform plastic waste into resources.
If you are a waste collection service dealing with river pollution—this project developed a Mediterranean Toolbox that helps citizens prevent plastic leaks. This reduces the volume of waste reaching waterways and lowers cleanup costs.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with high raw material costs—this project developed maker technologies that transform collected plastics into valuable resources. This allows for the creation of recycled product lines using local waste streams.
If you are an education provider dealing with low student engagement—this project developed participatory monitoring and citizen science tools. These tools turn environmental protection into a hands-on learning experience for schools.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not mentioned, but the project focuses on creating affordable and accessible maker technologies.
The project focuses on a community-driven approach and local interventions; based on available project data, it is designed for local impact rather than heavy industrial scale.
Based on available project data, the project emphasizes open participatory tools, suggesting a focus on open access rather than restrictive licensing.
The project period runs from 2026-09-01 to 2030-08-31, meaning full results will be available toward 2030.
It integrates by mobilizing citizens and schools as co-creators to prevent plastics from entering rivers, acting as a first-line defense before waste reaches municipal infrastructure.
The consortium is diverse with 18 partners across 4 countries. It has a healthy industry presence of 28%, including 5 industry partners and 3 SMEs, which suggests a strong link between academic research and practical market application. The mix of 3 universities and 4 research organizations ensures a solid scientific foundation for the social innovation goals.
Contact the Faculty of Architecture at Sveučilište u Zagrebu
Contact us to track the development of the Mediterranean Toolbox for your waste management strategy.
