US EditionUp to 4,700 metric tons of litter flows down the Rhine each year
A 12-month study in Cologne found the Rhine carries up to 4,700 tons of macrolitter annually, with plastic comprising 70% of items but only 15% of the weight.
- On January 8, 2026, researchers reported the Rhine transports around 4,000 metric tons of macrolitter annually, with 446–697 metric tons of that load plastic.
- Rivers remain the primary pathway moving litter inland to sea, yet long-term observations have been scarce; Hamann's team deployed a floating litter trap in Cologne from 19 November 2022–18 November 2023.
- Over the year, the floating litter trap collected 17,523 pieces weighing around 1,955 kg, with around 70% plastic pieces making up only 15% of mass, and 56% from private consumers.
- Authors argue long-term continuous monitoring with physical collection yields realistic river-litter estimates, as single-day observations undercount loads, while manmade litter harms environment, human health and infrastructure.
- Amid SDG data shortfalls, Dilek Fraisl and colleagues argue citizen science could help gather data to support 60% of SDG indicators and supplement official surveys especially in turbulent times.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Environment: Up to 4,700 tonnes of litter flows down the Rhine each year
The river Rhine is estimated to carry between 3,000 and 4,700 tonnes of macrolitter — pieces of litter larger than 25 millimetres in size — towards the North Sea every year, according to research published in Communications Sustainability...
A team of volunteers in Cologne collects garbage that defiles the Rhine. Researchers have now evaluated the finds. In Germany's most important river, therefore, much more waste floats than previously suspected.
With a garbage trap, researchers measure the amount of waste in Germany's largest river. Compared to previous estimates, they record a large increase.
A new study from Bonn and Tübingen shows how much waste is in the Rhine. Cologne's "Rheinkrake" provided data for this. Which wastes often occur in the river and what is particularly surprising.
Up to 4,700 metric tons of litter flows down the Rhine each year
The river Rhine is estimated to carry between 3,000 and 4,700 metric tons of macrolitter—pieces of litter larger than 25 millimeters in size—towards the North Sea every year, according to research published in Communications Sustainability.
How much garbage is driving in the Rhine towards the sea? Researchers wanted to know exactly - and used a garbage trap set up in Cologne. The results surprise.
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