Citizen Science

WELCOME TO THE CITIZEN SCIENCE PAGE OF AQUATIC PLASTIC!

YOUR MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE – Citizen Science Campaign

Do you want to help clean rivers from plastic pollution? Are you interested in citizen science? Have you found a bottle with a message inside, or would you like to release one yourself? Then you are in the right place.

I want to report a found or released Message in a Bottle

About Us

The “Your Message in a Bottle” campaign was launched in 2024 as part of the Aquatic Plastic project, with the aim of involving riverside communities in a meaningful and accessible form of citizen science. It is important to clarify that this initiative is entirely non-profit and should not be confused with commercial projects using similar names to sell products or introduce new bottles into the environment. Our work is based on a strict principle: we do not pollute and we do not add new waste. Instead, we focus exclusively on plastic bottles that are already present in rivers due to pollution, and we use them as tools to better understand environmental processes.

What We Are Proud Of

In 2024 and 2025, the campaign achieved significant results across the Danube River Basin. Schools, NGOs, and volunteers from eight countries joined forces, working along more than ten rivers. During this time, 194 plastic bottles were tagged with messages, and nine of these were later rediscovered. These rediscoveries provided valuable insights into how plastic moves through river systems, offering real-world data that helps us design more effective cleanup strategies. While these results are already promising, they also highlight the potential to expand further, which is why we are now launching the next phase of data collection.

BOTTLES RELOADED!

To make participation even more accessible and enjoyable, the campaign has been simplified. In 2026, there is no longer any need for registration or complex administration. Participants can simply download the message template, print it, and head to the riverside with a pen and a mobile phone. This new phase, called “Bottles Reloaded,” marks a shift toward a more open, inclusive, and user-friendly citizen science experience.

Your Message on the Riversaver Map

With the support of the Danube Riversaver community and their online platform, every reported bottle—whether found or released—appears on an interactive map. This shared visual tool helps inspire others, makes the collected data visible, and strengthens the sense of belonging to a growing international community working toward the same goal.

Fascinating Stories

The campaign has already generated compelling stories that demonstrate both the scientific and human value of the initiative. One example is the “Green Wave” bottle, released near Tiszafüred in July 2025 and rediscovered just over two weeks later near Poroszló, having travelled more than 14 river kilometers. Another bottle, released by students of an eco-school in Sárospatak, travelled 5.3 kilometers over 162 days, offering insight into slower movement patterns. A third bottle, released in Slovenia and found later in Croatia, illustrates how riverine plastic pollution easily crosses national borders. These stories are not only engaging but also contribute meaningful data to our understanding of pollution dynamics.

Gamification

Looking ahead, the campaign aims to make participation even more engaging by introducing elements of gamification. Participants will have opportunities to join themed challenges, search for specific “treasure bottles,” and compete for recognition as the most active citizen scientist. These elements are designed to increase motivation while maintaining the scientific value of the activity.

FAQs

FAQ

How did the idea come about?

The idea for the campaign originated from real-life experiences during river cleanups carried out by the Plastic Cup initiative, which has removed over 400 tons of waste from waterways in the Danube Basin. Among the collected waste were numerous bottles containing messages—letters, wishes, coins, and small objects—that revealed how far and how long these items travel in rivers. These unexpected findings provided valuable insights and inspired the creation of this structured citizen science campaign.

Why do you focus only on plastic bottles?

Plastic bottles are one of the most common forms of riverine waste, and rivers are responsible for transporting a large proportion of plastic pollution into the oceans. Understanding how this pollution moves is essential for effective prevention and cleanup. By tracking bottles already present in the environment, the campaign generates useful data while raising awareness about the importance of keeping rivers plastic-free.

How is the collected information useful?

The information collected through this campaign helps us better understand the movement, accumulation, and distribution of plastic pollution in river systems. While advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and remote sensing provide valuable data, simple and accessible methods—like messages in bottles—can also generate long-term insights at very low cost. This knowledge supports more effective planning of river cleanup actions and environmental interventions.

Do you put new bottles into the river?

No, absolutely not. We do not introduce new bottles into the environment. Instead, we work exclusively with plastic bottles that are already present as pollution. Similar to how scientists tag animals to study their movement, participants place messages inside found bottles to track how they travel through river systems.

What if there are very few plastic bottles in our rivers due to deposit return systems?

This is a positive development and an important step toward reducing pollution. In such regions, participation may be more suitable for NGOs or dedicated volunteers, who are more likely to encounter remaining litter. Schools and communities can also engage in other citizen science initiatives, such as microplastic monitoring or environmental education activities.

What else can we do after participating in the campaign?

Participants are encouraged to continue contributing by tagging additional bottles, inviting others to join, and becoming part of broader river protection initiatives. This may include joining educational networks, participating in river adoption programs, or engaging in pollution mapping and cleanup activities.

Is this campaign official, and who are the partners?

Yes, this is an official international citizen science campaign launched as part of the Aquatic Plastic Interreg project. It is implemented in collaboration with key partners including Plastic Cup Society, BOKU University, the Riversaver School Network, and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River. The campaign follows the principles of the European Citizen Science Association, ensuring scientific quality and ethical standards.

Who can participate in the campaign?

Participation is open to everyone. While schools and environmental NGOs are key target groups, individuals, families, friend groups, and even small companies are welcome to join. The campaign aims to reconnect people—especially younger generations—with rivers and empower them to take action against plastic pollution.

Why is this campaign valuable from an educational perspective?

In today’s digital world, many young people have never experienced sending or receiving a physical message. This campaign offers a unique, hands-on experience that combines storytelling, science, and environmental awareness. Writing a message, placing it in a bottle, and eventually receiving feedback from a finder creates a memorable connection that can inspire long-term engagement with environmental issues.

We found a website with a similar name using a .com domain—is that you?

No, that is not us. Although we launched the “Your Message in a Bottle” citizen science campaign in 2024, a separate initiative decided to use the same name. That platform operates with a different concept and a commercial business model. Our campaign remains a non-profit, community-driven initiative.