The world's largest professional cleanup operation continues its work

Initiated and financed by the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund, and led by SALT Lofoten, the program previously known as Rydd Norge has been aptly renamed, according to CEO Cecilie Lind.

- There is urgency in removing plastic waste from the ocean and our coastline, and Cleanup Norway in Time reflects this need precisely, says Lind. Early action can prevent severe harm to nature and wildlife, and prevent the plastic from breaking down into microplastics.

Lind refers to the report from NORCE which highlights that cleaning up plastic litter not only prevents microplastic emissions but can also significantly reduce microplastic levels in the environment already the following year.

Program director for Cleanup Norway in Time, Snorre Sklet at SALT Lofoten, emphasizes that the program prioritizes cleaning in areas with vulnerable nature and wildlife, and that bird reserves are the first areas to be cleaned in the cleaning season. The work is carried out in close dialogue with the County Governor and BirdLife Norway.

- Half of Norway's seabirds are red-listed. Marine litter is one of several factors that can negatively affect the seabirds, says Sklet. Our professional cleanup operators prioritize cleaning in bird reserves well ahead of the breeding season and before the access prohibition comes into effect. If we clean up in time, we can prevent plastic from ending up on the birds' menu, or them getting caught in the trash, he continues.

On Tuesday, April 9th, the country's professional cleanup operators gather in Bergen to share knowledge and experiences, and not least celebrate the launch of the new name. Sklet says he looks forward to bringing 18 different suppliers together under the same roof, as well as honoring the cleanup operators who are cleaning the coast of Norway bit by bit.

- Norway offers challenging conditions for the cleanup of marine litter, with large seasonal variations and difficult terrain, says Sklet. The effort of our cleanup operators is truly impressive.

Cecilie Lind at the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund agrees with the program director for Cleanup Norway in Time and states that it is no given that Norway would become the country with the world's largest professional cleanup action for marine litter. She points to the fund's members as an important factor for enabling the cleanup work.

- Our members pay a fee of 2 NOK per plastic carrier bag they sell in Norway. It is these funds that finance over 1,000 projects both domestically and abroad, says Lind. Both we and our members are proud that the plastic bag fees finance the important work being done in the Cleanup Norway in Time program, she concludes.

Contact Information:

Cecilie Lind
CEO at the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund
Phone: 901 10 116
Email: cecilie@handelensmiljofond.no

Snorre Sklet, Salt Lofoten AS
Program Director for Cleanup Norway in Time
Phone: 482 84 618
Email: snorre@salt.nu