"Plastic Pirates": Students in the service of science and the environment

The "Babeş-Bolyai" University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca, through the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, is launching for the first time in Romania the European initiative "Plastic Pirates", a participatory research project funded by the prestigious Horizon Europe program.

The project's main objective is the active involvement of citizens in scientific research activities related to plastic pollution of European rivers. Thus, Romania joins a major initiative at the continental level, through an approach that brings science closer to the community and promotes environmental education. The first participants in Romania are students from: "Ana Aslan" Technical College in Cluj-Napoca, "Dumitru Tăuţan" Theoretical High School in Floreşti. They will carry out a practical activity of taking samples of macro and microplastic from the Someşul Mic River, in accordance with the international "Plastic Pirates" methodology. The aim is to collect relevant scientific data that will contribute to understanding the degree of plastic pollution in waterways.

The official launch event took place yesterday in Floreşti commune, in the area downstream of the Floreşti II Hydropower Plant. The organizers want this project to become a model of collaboration between education, research and the community, with a positive impact on environmental protection. The "Plastic Pirates" project offers a unique opportunity for young people to actively contribute to monitoring plastic pollution, while developing scientific skills and a solid ecological awareness.