Activities
Hits: 132
Hotspot Map: A Call to Action for the Shkumbin River
Hotspot Map: A Call to Action for the Shkumbin River
The hotspot map showing reported levels of waste in the Shkumbin river presents a significant variability in the distribution of waste along the riverbanks, with some areas being much more affected by pollution. In the outskirts of major cities (Elbasan and Librazhd), there is less waste due to the waste collection system in these two cities: waste from Librazhd is collected and sent to the incinerator in Elbasan. The riverbanks around other cities, villages, and residential areas traversed by the river are filled with waste and illegal dumping sites due to the lack of organized waste collection. An open dumping site is also present after Elbasan, where the proximity to the riverbanks encourages waste dispersal.
The hotspot map has been prepared within the framework of the BeMed+ project, through the "Plastic Origins" monitoring app, in collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation in France and the Sports and Tourism Agency in Elbasan, as well as with the contribution of several young volunteers from the city of Elbasan passionate about rafting. "The river is our life and passion," they say. "Its health is ours, its beauty is ours. Let's preserve and protect it together!"
Monitoring plastic pollution in the Shkumbin river is a mission initiated within the BeMed+ project, with the commitment of sports tourism operators in Elbasan during 2024 and which will continue for the next three years. The goal is not only to identify environmental hotspots but also to report and coordinate with municipalities and inspectorates for their reduction and elimination.
Together we work to reduce plastic pollution in the Shkumbin river basin!
