40 prosent av ytre kyst skal ryddes på 3 år

The first target for plastic cleanup has been set
For the first time, a concrete goal has been set for cleaning up plastic pollution in Norway. Through the Cleanup Norway program, 40 percent of Norway's outer coastline, prioritized waterways, and areas on Svalbard will be cleaned at least once for macroplastics by the end of 2023. The program is initiated and led by the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.

- Many argue that cleanup should occur abroad because that's where the plastic is found. Unfortunately, we are not immune to pollution here in Norway. Many would likely be quite dismayed to see the amounts of plastic accumulating along our extensive coastline. Plastic pollution in Norway must be removed, and it's urgent for Norwegian nature and wildlife. Therefore, the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund is taking a structured approach to clean up Norway, says Rasmus Hansson, CEO of the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.

At the launch on Tuesday, September 22nd in Hagnesbukta, Lofoten, was also climate and environment minister Sveinung Rotevatn.

- Norway has one of the world's longest coastlines. In many places, it's tough to access. Cleanup Norway is a historic initiative where the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund will clean 40 percent of the outer coast and take over the baton from the voluntary efforts. Through cooperation between authorities and industries, we achieve a more systematic cleanup of plastic in Norway, Rotevatn tells NRK.

The cleanup projects included in the program will be adapted to each county, and the program will be divided into 12 regional projects. The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund has initiated the organizing of the cleanup in each area and serves as the financial backbone. The actual implementation takes place in collaboration with the county governors' environmental departments across the country.

- The environmental departments have people with local knowledge and experience, and through them, we can utilize that knowledge both regarding where to clean and who should perform the job, Hansson continues.

Financed through the sale of plastic carrier bags
The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund is financed through the sale of plastic carrier bags, receiving 50 øre for each plastic bag Norwegians purchase from the fund's members. These 50 øre go to supporting environmental projects that tackle the plastic problem. One of the largest projects funded by the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund is this major national cleanup program, which is intended to complement and complete the efforts made each year in voluntary cleanup actions.

- It is the first time such a structured approach has been taken to clean Norway's extensive coastline. This year we're using 25 million, but next year the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund will use a full 100 million from the carrier bag revenues on the Cleanup Norway program. We will clean as much as we can, and then some more, concludes Hansson.