Each of us can make a difference in preventing litter from entering the environment
Once litter ends up in the sea, it is difficult to remove – microplastics cannot be removed at all. The most important thing is to prevent litter from entering the sea in the first place. Combating all types of plastic waste is especially important because it also helps reduce the amount of microplastics formed from plastic fragments.
All litter in the Baltic Sea is caused by humans. Most of the litter found on beaches consists of single-use plastic products, such as food packaging, wrappers, and plastic bags. The same applies globally, and there is no relief in sight. Global plastic production continues to grow, and with it, the amount of plastic ending up in the sea increases.
Plastic litter starkly reflects the current take-away culture. However, consumption habits can be changed. Every individual can influence how much litter ends up in the marine environment.
Littering in the Baltic Sea is curbed through laws and agreements
Marine litter moves across the Baltic Sea regardless of national borders. Therefore, littering must be addressed through both national and international actions.
The European Union aims to reduce littering through various means, such as restricting the intentional addition of microplastics to products. The EU also regulates the use of certain single-use plastic products. The directive concerning them, known as the SUP Directive, imposes usage restrictions on the most common plastic items found on beaches, such as plastic cutlery and straws.
Currently, the effectiveness of the directive in reducing the presence of such litter on beaches is being monitored. The amount of beach litter has already been observed to decrease by about one-third across the EU. In the Baltic Sea region, the reduction is even greater—about 45 percent between the comparison periods of 2015–2016 and 2020–2021.
Finland and other Baltic Sea coastal states work together through the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM). These countries are committed to implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan, which includes several measures aimed at reducing littering. The proposed actions align with the EU’s broader efforts to reduce marine litter.
Everyone is responsible for littering in the Baltic Sea
Each of us can influence the littering of the Baltic Sea through our own actions. The most important thing is to reduce unnecessary consumption and ensure that waste is properly recycled. Moderating consumption habits has a positive impact not only on the littering of the Baltic Sea but also more broadly on the use of the Earth’s natural resources. It helps to curb biodiversity loss and climate change.
Sisältö vaatii markkinointievästeiden sallimisen. Ole hyvä ja salli evästeet katsoaksesi sen.
Report your litter observations to researchers
Rosgis(siirryt toiseen palveluun) is an online service by the Finnish Environment Institute where anyone can report environmental observations related to litter. Observations are needed, for example, about lost fishing gear, animals entangled in litter, plastic pellets, and littered areas. These reports help researchers trace the origin of waste and block its pathways into nature. The online service also allows users to view their own litter observations on a map or download data for personal use.
Sisältö vaatii markkinointievästeiden sallimisen. Ole hyvä ja salli evästeet katsoaksesi sen.
Citizen science with scouts and schoolchildren
Sisältö vaatii markkinointievästeiden sallimisen. Ole hyvä ja salli evästeet katsoaksesi sen.