REGARD network

Plastic pollution is a major issue that raises many challenges on a global scale. This pollution is mainly caused by chronic or accidental releases into the environment from human activities.

In this context, urban networks have been identified as routes for the transfer of litter into aquatic environments, whether watercourses or the marine environment.

In France, litter in wastewater and stormwater systems is the focus of several national-level action plans led by France's Environment Ministry, in particular the Biodiversity Plan and the associated "Zero Plastic Waste at Sea" action plan.

At a more local level, local authorities and network operators are confronted with operating constraints and uncertainties over the best strategy and methodologies to be applied, roles and responsibilities, and return on investment.

Against this backdrop, OiEau and CEDRE joined forces to create the REGARD network. This network, co-funded by the Loire-Brittany Water Agency, provides expertise and support for action to reduce plastic macro-litter in urban networks, for local authorities and associated stakeholders in the Loire-Brittany area. The network will strive to foster innovative action, experience sharing and good practice.

To implement this project, 3 objectives have been defined, to be achieved by 2026:

1. Set up and facilitate a network of local authorities across the Loire-Brittany area, which are involved or wish to become involved in an approach to reduce plastic macro-litter,
2. Support the implementation of measures to reduce plastic macro-litter,
3. Produce reference resources and make them available to the network.

Local authorities and operators of urban networks can thus benefit from independent support and resources to develop an effective, ongoing strategy to combat plastic macro-litter and reduce transfers to receiving environments.

This support comprises:

• Access to the complementary expertise of CEDRE and OiEau,
• Assessments of plastic pollution and potential hotspots in order to identify priority actions,
• Recommendations on strategies and techniques for intercepting litter in networks,
• Provision of model documents and good practice guides,
• Recommendations for equipment purchases,
• Proposal of indicators and monitoring methods to assess the effectiveness of the actions implemented,
• Information and training on the issue of plastic pollution through thematic meetings,
• Connections with a network of managers, stakeholders and experts to benefit from their feedback and expertise,
• Support in promoting and communicating about actions implemented.

More information

Calling all local authorities! Interested in helping to boost national expertise in tackling macro-litter in urban networks? Get in touch: contact@reseau-regard.org

Project website: https://reseau-regard.org/

Discover the first available reports from the projet : https://reseau-regard.org/documentation