For the fifth consecutive year, the and its partners contributed to the national plastic cleanup effort, with this year’s cleanup targeting Lisle Lyng?y, an island near Helles?y famously featured in the NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Coorporation) documentary Plasthavet (“The Plastic Ocean”). The cleanup campaign, held on September 12, was organized by and the Sustainability Pilots in collaboration with Bergen og Omland Friluftsr?d (BOF) and Naturvernforbundet Hordaland.
“It was a day of remarkable engagement, determination, and teamwork from students and staff,” said Professor Odd André Karlsen, head of the Plastics Network at UiB. “Our collaboration with BOF was outstanding—they provided transport and meals for all participants. Seeing the plastic waste firsthand on Lisle Lyng?y was eye-opening, revealing the extent to which plastic has impacted the landscape and ecosystem.”
Research Island
Upon arrival at Helles?y, participants were ferried to Lisle Lyng?y by boats provided by BOF, an exciting start to their day. The island had previously been the focus of a multi-year research project (2018-2023) led by NORCE, UiB, Clean Shores Global, and TAM NJFF Hordaland, represented by Kenneth Bruvik. The project aimed to understand how plastic waste affects local ecosystems and to evaluate the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. Since 2018, Lisle Lyng?y has seen substantial plastic removal, making this year’s campaign a chance to assess the island’s current condition. While recent cleanups have significantly reduced visible plastic, debris remains plentiful, giving UiB participants plenty to do during their time on the island.
Researcher Marte Haave, central to the NORCE project, rejoined this year’s campaign to share insights with participants. Haave explained that a large mound on the island’s southeastern bay, which appears natural, is actually composed of more than 70% plastic accumulated over decades. This plastic infiltration alters the island’s ecosystem in profound ways. A striking example was the discovery of caddisfly cases made from microplastics rather than natural materials, a telling sign of how deeply plastic has permeated the local environment. Insects, animals, and humans - on Lisle Lyng?y and elsewhere in the world - ingest microplastics, but more research is needed to answer what consequences this could have.
NORCE’s project results suggest that while plastic pollution negatively impacts Lisle Lyng?y’s ecosystem, regular cleanups can mitigate these effects, particularly by reducing microplastic presence in the area. “This campaign demonstrated that cleanup efforts truly make a difference; there’s significantly less plastic on Lisle Lyng?y now,” said Professor Karlsen. “We were also fortunate to have Haave with us, combining scientific insight with hands-on work, which enriched the experience for everyone involved”.
A Day with Many Impressions
UiB’s Sustainability Pilots, who helped organize the event, reflected on the lasting impressions of the day. “We expected some plastic to remain, but it was surprising how much was still there. Within just 10 minutes, our first garbage bag was full,” said Sustainability Pilots Dina Bergmann, Kristine Gulla, and Kathrine Wie Helg?y. “Seeing so much microplastic is overwhelming, but it was inspiring to work alongside students and staff committed to environmental stewardship. Hearing Marte Haave’s insights on how plastic changes landscapes added an important perspective.”
In just over an hour, the team collected 155 kilograms of plastic waste from Lisle Lyng?y. Over the past five years, UiB’s Strandryddeuka efforts have removed approximately 8.7 tons of marine debris from Norwegian shores. “We look forward to continuing this important work and organizing another cleanup campaign next year,” concluded Professor Karlsen.
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