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Evidence on plastic pollution has already been gathered in both the freshwater systems and the marine environment (including the Danube and the Black Sea) over the last decades. Scientific investigations identified strong linkages between marine pollution, terrestrial areas and land-based activities. Poor waste management, everyday littering, plastic industry facilities, consuming of products of textile and cosmetic industries in households and tire abrasion pollute rivers that further discharge plastic litter into the receiving seas. While priority should be given to reducing plastic pollution at source, river clean-up actions are also highly important to eliminate plastic litter accumulation hot-spots.

In the wake of what has been declared the nation's 'worst-ever natural disaster,’ more than 70% of Slovenia's territory, predominantly situated in the Danube River Basin, has been severely affected by extreme flooding. The scale of this catastrophe has led to billions of Euros in damages and a tragic loss of lives.

VIENNA, 29 August (ICPDR) – The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is committed to maintaining and preserving the cleanliness, health, and safety of the Danube River Basin.

One of the primary advantages provided by the ICPDR is its capacity to assist national decision-makers in effectively balancing the competing needs and various uses of the Danube River. These encompass areas such as hydropower generation, agriculture, and climate risk management. The ICPDR functions as a comprehensive platform for member countries, facilitating consultation, coordination, and the holistic management of the Danube River Basin.

In the Danube River Basin, five main pressures that affect water status: organic substance pollution, nutrient pollution, hazardous substance pollution, hydromorphological alterations and effects of climate change (drought, water scarcity, extreme hydrological phenomena and other impacts), have been identified as Significant Water Management Issues (SWMIs). The groundwater quantity and quality are also under constant pressure.

Despite the EU's advanced waste management and ambitious recycling objectives, studies still indicate the presence of macro and microplastic pollution in EU rivers. The Tid(y)Up project focuses on improving water quality and reducing plastic pollution in the Tisza River, which is long considered one of Europe’s most heavily contaminated rivers.