Plastic waste in rivers and seas is a global environmental problem. But how does this waste end up in our waterways – and what can policymakers, scientists and society do about it? Doris Knoblauch, Director of the Resources Programme at Ecologic Institute, will discuss these questions live on WDR 5's "Quarks – Wissenschaft und mehr" on 15 September 2026 at 15:05. Listeners can call in during the programme and put their questions directly to the expert.

Doris Knoblauch has worked on plastic pollution and policy approaches to tackling it for many years – from measures at the German and European levels to the international negotiations on a global plastics treaty. For almost ten years, she has also been involved in the Plastic Pirates citizen science initiative, which will enter an anniversary campaign period this autumn. As part of the initiative, school pupils and youth groups use scientific methods to investigate litter pollution in and around rivers and other water bodies, contributing their data directly to scientific research.

The programme will first explore how plastic and other waste finds its way into our rivers and what research conducted through the Plastic Pirates can tell us about the problem. The discussion will then turn to potential solutions: What role can European regulation, technological approaches and clean-up activities play? And how can we prevent plastic from entering the environment in the first place?

Another key focus will be the international negotiations on a global plastics treaty. Doris Knoblauch has followed the negotiation process closely and will discuss where the international community stands today, what has prevented countries from reaching an agreement so far, and how the negotiations could move forward.

Finally, the discussion will look ahead: Can we still bring the plastic pollution problem under control – and what changes would be needed to achieve this?

Listen live and join the discussion.

15 September 2026 | 15:05
WDR 5 Quarks

Ask your questions

Listeners can call in during the live programme and put their questions directly to Doris Knoblauch (in German).