What We Do
Twice a year, school classes and volunteer groups across Europe head to their nearest waterway. Armed with a standardised sampling kit and a scientific protocol, they measure plastic litter along a defined stretch โ collecting, categorising, and recording everything they find.
The results are entered into an open database coordinated by VLIZ (the Flanders Marine Institute). Scientists across 14 countries then validate, aggregate, and publish the data โ making it freely available for research, education, and EU policy.
Participating groups receive a free field kit, teacher guides, and a certificate of scientific contribution. The data they generate is real, peer-reviewed, and matters.
Standardised Protocol
Every group follows the same scientific method โ ensuring data is comparable across countries and years.
Free for Schools
All materials, sampling kits, and teacher guides are provided at no cost to participating schools.
Open Data
All validated datasets are published on Zenodo under a CC-BY 4.0 licence for anyone to use.
EU Policy Impact
Findings inform EU environmental monitoring and feed into the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
See It in Action
Watch this short film to get a feel for what the Plastic Pirates campaign is all about โ who participates, why it matters, and what it means to be part of Europe's largest citizen science network for plastic pollution.
From a German school class to coastlines across 14 countries โ this is what happens when young people decide to do something about plastic in their rivers.
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Beyond the Riverbank
The Plastic Pirates don't stay at the water's edge. Student ambassadors present their findings at major conferences, meet European policymakers, and make the case that citizen science belongs at the highest levels of environmental decision-making.
Student Events
Young scientists present their data at national and European student symposia, sharing results with peers, teachers, and researchers.
Policy Forums
Findings reach European Parliament briefings and EU Commission working groups on single-use plastics and zero pollution.
Brussels Summit
The 2023 Plastic Pirates Summit brought together student ambassadors, scientists, and EU officials at the heart of European democracy.
Student symposium, Brussels 2023
European Youth Parliament, Strasbourg
UN Ocean Conference side event
Plastic Pirates Summit opening ceremony
Policy briefing at European Commission
International Marine Litter Conference
Ready to join the campaign?
Register your group and become part of Europe's largest citizen science network for plastic pollution.
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