Plastic Litter Project 2025

PLP2025 is the newest chapter of the Plastic Litter Project — a research-driven collaboration between the University of the Aegean and the University of Florida’s College of Marine Science. This phase dives into uncharted waters: 

Can we actually see floating plastic litter from space?

To find out, six floating targets were deployed in the sheltered Gulf of Gera, Lesvos. Built from white HDPE tarps and wooden planks, each target is framed in PVC and varies in size (1, 2, and 3 m²). These silent plastic “decoys” float for two weeks, while UMBRA, a high-resolution commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, passes overhead, capturing snapshots from orbit.

Our mission? To test the detection limits of SAR technology when it comes to floating debris — and to see whether this could become a powerful tool for monitoring marine litter in the future.

PLP2025 is not just an experiment. It’s a step toward turning the tide on ocean pollution — using tech, teamwork, and a bit of grit.