85% of ocean plastic comes from rivers — and the real challenge begins upstream, including in Italy
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental emergencies of our time. Over 350 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year. Around 6 million tons end up in rivers and coastal areas — yet only 1.4 million tons actually reach the sea. The rest becomes trapped along the river, causing serious environmental, health, and social damage.
The situation in Italy
According to the 2024 ISPRA report, more than 80% of floating waste in Italian rivers consists of plastic, mostly single-use items related to food packaging. Rivers such as the Tiber, Sarno, and Po are among the main contributors of plastic to the Mediterranean, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Microplastics are also widespread in Italy, as in the rest of Europe — with an average density of 3 particles per cubic meter in major rivers.
Why rivers are the most effective place to act
Targeting pollution before plastic reaches the sea is the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy. Acting in rivers helps to:
Intercept plastic waste at the source
Prevent the formation of microplastics, which are harder to remove
Protect aquatic ecosystems and public health
Image by Freepik
Traditional floating barriers are no longer enough
Most conventional solutions rely on passive floating barriers, such as nets or booms. These systems:
Hold back waste but don’t remove it
Can obstruct navigation and wildlife
Are vulnerable to flooding and require frequent maintenance
River Cleaning: the Italian technology that transforms river waste collection
River Cleaning is an Italian-patented, modular system that goes beyond traditional approaches to river plastic interception:
Rotating floating devices, installed diagonally across the current
Guide waste toward a riverbank or in-water collection area
100% self-powered, using only the natural flow of the river
Customizable to fit the needs of each waterway, even navigable ones
A major innovation is the new automatic waste selector, currently under patent. It uses:
High-resolution cameras
Underwater sonar
AI-powered software
to distinguish between plastic and natural materials, enabling more precise, efficient, and cost-effective collection.
Smart monitoring and remote management
Thanks to a centralized dashboard, River Cleaning offers:
Real-time waste flow tracking
Remote system management and maintenance
Environmental data collection for smarter prevention strategies
Interested in protecting your river or waterway? Contact us to discuss a customized solution.
Credits: River Cleaning, 2025