How much litter does the Rhine river carry annually?

The Rhine river carries up to 4,700 tonnes of macrolitter each year.

What did citizen scientists do in the University of Bonn study?

Citizen scientists helped collect, transport, and record data on litter from the Rhine river.

What are the main types of pollution in the Rhine river?

The Rhine carries macrolitter including plastics, tyres with heavy metals, and food/drink waste.

Home / Environment / Rhine River Chokes on 4,700 Tonnes of Litter Annually

Rhine River Chokes on 4,700 Tonnes of Litter Annually

8 Jan

•

Summary

Rhine river carries up to 4,700 tonnes of macrolitter annually.
Tyres and plastics are major components of the hazardous river waste.
Citizen scientists played a key role in the University of Bonn study.

Rhine River Chokes on 4,700 Tonnes of Litter Annually

The Rhine river is contributing a staggering amount of litter to the North Sea, with recent research indicating up to 4,700 tonnes of macrolitter entering marine environments annually. This pollution includes plastics and items like tyres that leach toxic heavy metals, posing a grave danger to aquatic life and ecosystems. The composition of waste found in the Rhine mirrors that of other European rivers, highlighting a widespread issue.

A collaborative study by citizen scientists and researchers from the University of Bonn between November 2023 and November 2024 meticulously analyzed the litter. A floating trap in Cologne captured substantial amounts of debris, revealing that 15% was plastic and 28% was related to food and drink waste. This ongoing investigation underscores the critical role rivers play in transporting pollution.