Previous Next

PLASTRON Project: turning marine plastic into new everyday objects

Activities continue under the PLASTRON Project, funded by the Italy–France Maritime Programme 2021–2027, which aims to improve the sustainability of local communities by providing knowledge and tools for collecting and transforming plastic waste gathered from coasts, marinas and the sea.

From 3 to 8 October 2025, the project enters the heart of its implementation phase, sharing the results achieved in its ambitious goal: using recovered coastal plastic to create new everyday objects through 3D printing.

The programme begins on Friday 3 October with the PLASTRON Actions, cleanup events and awareness activities promoting care for the coastal environment, held simultaneously in Corsica and Sardinia. In Île-Rousse, from 1 to 5 October, a series of civic initiatives will animate the town’s daily life. On Friday 3 October, at 9:30 a.m., a cleanup and sorting session will take place on the small Pietra beach, followed at 5:30 p.m. by the After Sunset Cleanwalk, a large cigarette butt collection across the city organised as a friendly team challenge, ending with a convivial gathering. On Saturday 4 October, at 10:00 a.m., a public conference will be held at the town hall to discuss and better understand the challenges of plastic pollution. Throughout the same period, the PLASTRON stand will be present at the Île-Rousse Fair on Place Paoli, featuring interactive workshops, an exhibition and public outreach on marine litter.

In Stintino (Sardinia), also on Friday 3 October, a community cleanup will take place at Le Saline beach, open to all citizens. Participants will register and receive materials at 9:30 a.m., followed by an introductory briefing at 10:00 and cleanup activities until 12:15. The event will also be an opportunity to apply the guidelines developed by MEDSEA for organising and conducting cleanups safely and efficiently, providing coastal communities across the Mediterranean with practical tools to manage events in line with local contexts and regulations.

Launched in 2024, the PLASTRON Project brings together partners from across the Mediterranean: Tuscany with Cispel Confservizi Toscana (Lead Partner) and the Agenzia Regionale Recupero Risorse (ARRR); Liguria with the University of Genoa; the French Riviera with the University of Nice; Corsica with the City of Île-Rousse; and Sardinia with the Mediterranean Sea and Coast Foundation (MEDSEA) and the Municipality of Stintino.

On 6 October, the University of Genoa will also launch Radio Unige’s four-episode podcast series “Materia in Circolo”, available on Spotify. Through the voices of academics, researchers and professionals from ARRR, the University of Nice and other expert organisations, the podcast will explore key themes such as economic and social sustainability, recycling practices and legislation, individual and research-driven sustainability initiatives, and the new pathways of plastic — from the sea to design products.

 

 

 

Latest news