The National Round Table in Romania: Concrete Steps to Combat Plastic Pollution in the Danube River Basin

On June 26^th 2025, Mare Nostrum NGO organized a national round table as part of the AQUATIC PLASTIC project, an event held in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, and hosted by CERONAV (Romanian Center for Training and Development of Naval Transport Personnel).

The event brought together 33 participants from various fields – representatives of national and local public administration, environmental agencies, research institutes, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the business sector – with the goal of strengthening inter-institutional collaboration to combat plastic pollution.

During the round table, an interactive and participatory method called OPERA was used, one of the techniques tested within the AQUATIC PLASTIC project. This method facilitated a structured process of identifying a series of ideas, measures, and needs related to legislation on river waste and microplastic monitoring in Romania.

The OPERA method led to the identification of key conclusions that will help guide the project’s activities going forward. A primary conclusion that emerged from the OPERA discussions was the need for more effective implementation of existing legislation, along with a clearer and more consistent transfer of information. Transparent communication regarding already implemented measures and identified good practices can support the coherence of actions and increase the impact of future interventions.

The event concluded with a practical demonstration by CERONAV on Lake Siutghiol, where a water drone designed for cleaning the water surface was presented. This drone is developed within the LEARN4SEA project, complementing efforts to combat aquatic waste.