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Arctic Beaches Choked by Plastic, Not Glass Anymore
5 Aug
Summary
- Plastic now predominates on Arctic beaches, replacing glass.
- Debris at Russkaya Gavan Bay has not decreased despite cleanup.
- Plastic waste found originates from at least 11 different countries.
For eight years, the Arctic Floating University has been monitoring marine debris at Russkaya Gavan Bay on Novaya Zemlya Island. This year's findings reveal a significant shift: plastic has replaced glass as the predominant type of waste washing ashore. Researchers collected 660 pieces of debris, weighing approximately 38 kilograms, with 355 pieces being plastic.
This persistent pollution, originating from at least 11 countries including the UAE, China, and the United States, continues to accumulate despite annual cleanup efforts. The expedition also documented plastic pollution on four islands in Franz Josef Land, finding plastic pellets used in manufacturing. The 20th voyage of the Arctic Floating University took place from July 1 to July 22, 2026.
