Research Project developed by the Foscarini team:

Reducing Plastic Pollution: Monitoring of Floating Litter in Venice Canals and Recycling at School.

TEACHERS: Anna Collarin, Eugenia Iovane, Angelo Francesco Paloschi, Caterina Rossi.

STUDENTS: Amadio Isabella Annagreta, Barbato Francesco, Carraro Rachele, Chiapatti Chiara, Mocan Irina, Semenzato Arianna, Tressoldi Elisa, Violato Ludovica.

ABSTRACT:

Plastic pollution and its dangerous impacts, particularly on the marine ecosystem, are a persistent and growing environmental problem that must be faced at a global level. Since the last century, plastic has been widely used because of its versatility and durability. However, massive usage of single-use plastic and its incorrect disposal, as well as the increase of derelict fishing gear, have caused large accumulation of waste in landfills and coastal and sea habitats. In the Pacific Ocean, for instance, ocean currents have collected floating garbage in the center of an enormous rotating area, often referred to as the "eastern Pacific garbage patch". Consequences include damage to wildlife resulting from ingestion of plastic fragments or entanglement in plastic pieces and the leaching of chemicals from trash. Recycling and raising public awareness about this huge problem are two ways to reduce the use of packaging and its diffusion in the environment.

As an island lacking an automatic waste collection, Venice is highly vulnerable: floating litter in its canals and the accumulation of garbage along the coasts of lagoon’s little islands are visible effects of this. The students of Liceo “Marco Foscarini” have organized their project considering three aspects:

1) gaining knowledge of the plastic production processes adopted in petrochemical plants of Porto Marghera (Venice); 2) monitoring the floating litter on the Venice lagoon by type and quantity; 3) managing of a recycling collection system at school, as well as teaching other students about the implementation of policies aimed at reducing the amount of plastic pollution.

The project was carried out with the collaboration of the governmental research institute ISPRA (Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), the NGO LegambienteVenezia and VERITAS, the local multiutility of waste collection services.