The RECLAIM project is one of five SeaClear2.0 Associated Regions initiatives supported by the SeaClear2.0 project. These regions act as strategic partners, each receiving a grant of up to €100,000 to demonstrate the feasibility, replicability, and scale-up potential of SeaClear2.0’s pioneering solutions for identifying, collecting, and valorising marine litter.
Through site-specific actions and citizen engagement activities, the Associated Regions aim to prevent and reduce marine litter while fostering an ocean-literate and environmentally conscious society within their territories.
What is the RECLAIM Project?
The RECLAIM (Recycling and Cleanup of Litter in Aquatic and Industrial Marine Environment) project was launched in September 2024 with the goal of tackling marine litter through a combination of community engagement, technological innovation, and data-driven solutions. The project is being carried out in the Møre og Romsdal region in Norway, engaging municipalities, voluntary organizations, educational institutions, and local industries to strengthen collective action against marine pollution (Kristiansund kommune, 2024).
A unique aspect of RECLAIM is its integration of the PlastOPol app, a digital tool that enables users to document, classify, and track marine litter collected during cleanup activities (Wu et al., 2023). By promoting citizen science and leveraging technology, RECLAIM aimed to empower local communities to take part in marine litter monitoring and management, thereby contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable marine environment (Wu et al., 2023).
RECLAIM’s Approach and Achievements
Since its inception, RECLAIM has achieved progress in mobilizing citizens and institutions for marine litter prevention and cleanup. Key accomplishments include:
- Three cleanup events held in Kristiansund, Ålesund, and Molde, resulting in the collection of over 540 kilograms of waste from coastal and harbour areas.
- Training and capacity building through the PlastOPol Workshop in Ålesund, supported by NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), where participants learned how to use digital tools to monitor and report marine litter.
- Dialog with industries and municipalities, including Hofseth, Kongsberg Maritime, SpareBank 1 Nordmøre, NEAS, and TESS AS, to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and explore upcycling opportunities for marine litter.
- Collaboration with SeaClear2.0, aligning RECLAIM’s citizen science efforts with advanced technological research in underwater litter detection and autonomous cleanup systems.
- Raising awareness across sectors within the region and with national stakeholders, forstering collaborations for future activities, initiatives and projects
- Recognition at the EU Oceans and Waters Mission Days in Brussels, where RECLAIM was acknowledged as one of the impactful EU-funded projects contributing to the Mission Ocean Charter.
Through public awareness campaigns on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), RECLAIM has reached over 15,000 people, amplifying its message about the importance of marine litter management . Local events, such as Vårryddedagen (The Spring Cleanup Day) and World Environment Day activities in Ålesund, have further strengthened public participation.
RECLAIM’s Role in Marine Litter Monitoring and Circular Economy
RECLAIM contributes directly to Norway’s marine environmental goals through community-based data collection and fostering circular economy principles (NORAD, 2024). The PlastOPol app, developed by NTNU, allows for real-time collection and classification of marine litter data. This data not only supports local cleanups but also provides insights into litter hotspots, sources, and seasonal trends informing future policy and management strategies (Wu et al., 2023).
In addition, RECLAIM has initiated discussions with marine industry actors on remediation efforts and the reuse and upcycling of recovered litter, as basis for future regional upcycling projects and cross sectoral collaboration. By connecting cleanup efforts with circular economy solutions, RECLAIM seeks to move the emphasis from waste collection to value creation.
Engaging Citizens and Stakeholders
Community engagement is central to RECLAIM’s strategy. The project has collaborated with 13 volunteer organizations, including Hold Norge Rent, Friluftsrådet Nordmøre og Romsdal, and Naturvernforbundet i Molde, to support and build on existing local efforts.
Through citizen science workshops and cleanup campaigns, RECLAIM has built a network of informed and motivated participants who contribute actively to data gathering and awareness raising. These activities have also increased collaboration between municipalities and local stakeholders, ensuring that marine litter management is given more focus in the municipality.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While RECLAIM has made notable progress, the project has also faced challenges particularly related to technical limitations in the PlastOPol app’s ability to detect underwater litter, as well as occasional delays in data synchronization with national platforms. These issues are being addressed through collaborations with technical partners and NTNU, with further development planned beyond the project’s current scope.
Looking ahead to December 2025, RECLAIM will focus on:
- Hosting an industry workshop to explore upcycling opportunities;
- Completing the RECLAIM promotional video and final project report;
- Delivering the project roadmap, in collaboration with TU Delft, to guide future marine litter management initiatives in Norway and beyond.
Long-Term Impact
RECLAIM has already demonstrated a lasting regional impact by linking citizen engagement, research, and industry action. The project’s partnerships have laid the groundwork for sustained collaboration on marine litter reduction and policy integration across municipalities.
As part of the EU Horizon network, RECLAIM contributes to shared European efforts toward healthy, pollution-free seas and serves as a stepping stone for the region’s future cross-border collaborations. By connecting local action with circular economy solutions and technological innovation, the project supports Norway’s contribution to the EU Mission Ocean goals for 2030.By combining grassroots participation with technological tools and industry cooperation, RECLAIM contributes meaningfully to Norway’s efforts to protect marine ecosystems and supports the broader EU Mission Ocean goals for healthy, pollution-free seas and waters by 2030 (NORAD, 2024).
RECLAIM stands as a model of how local action, digital innovation, and multi-sector collaboration within an international research and innovation framework can drive tangible progress in addressing one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
For more information, visit: https://www.seaclear2.eu/5-associated-regions/
References
Kristiansund kommune (2025). RECLAIM-projektet – Recycling and Cleanup of Litter in Aquatic and Industrial Marine environment (RECLAIM). https://www.kristiansund.kommune.no/tjenester/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/reclaim/
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) (2024). Making waves plastic-free: Norway’s support for a sustainable ocean. https://www.norad.no/en/publications/2024/making-waves-plastic-free/
Wu, D., Liu, J., Cordova, M., Hellevik, C., et al. (2023). “The PlastOPol system for marine litter monitoring by citizen scientists.” Environmental Modelling & Software. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2023.105784