Macroplastics in the Ishëm River: Causes, Impacts, and Strategies for Transforming One of Europe’s Most Polluted Rivers

Today rivers are known as the primary transport routes for plastic from continental to marine ecosystems. Although plastic pollution in aquatic environments poses a significant environmental threat, impacting both human health and ecosystems, knowledge about the distribution patterns, sources, and transport mechanisms of plastic in rivers remains limited. Through a collaboration between Albanian and Austrian research institutions, significant steps were taken to investigate the origins and pathways of floating and untethered macroplastics in the Ishëm River — one of the most polluted rivers in Europe — and to highlight the extent of plastic pollution in Albanian rivers.

The project’s objectives included implementing a combined measurement approach, utilizing both net-sampling and particle counting, to establish a data-based macroplastic transport assessment and identify major sources of plastic pollution. Additionally, the project focuses on building knowledge for sustainable river cleanup, providing globally relevant insights, and addressing the critical pollution levels in the Ishëm River.

Massive amounts of macroplastics pollute the Ishëm River delta and are carried as far as the Italian coast (over 150 km), as evidenced by labeled debris. Repeated cleanup campaigns by Albanian scientists and numerous stakeholders, collecting up to 400 bags of waste per action, have shown only temporary success, as plastic returns related to active waste disposal into rivers and mobilization after hydrological events. Preventing plastic from entering the river and intercepting it earlier in its course are urgent priorities. The project identified poorly functioning waste management systems and widespread misconceptions — such as the belief that rivers naturally dispose of waste — as key contributors to the pollution. To address these issues, the project developed strategies for long-term improvement, including establishing a lasting cooperation network, capacity-building initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns. Generating scientific data, furthermore, is essential to quantify pollution levels and identify responsibilities by assessing main sources of plastic waste. These efforts contribute to the creation of sustainable recycling programs and set the foundation for transforming the Ishëm River from one of Europe’s most polluted waterways into a restored ecosystem.