Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Stopping floating garbage before it gets to the ocean – the smart way
The Municipality of Aarhus (Denmark) has managed to collect over 100,000 items of waste from the city’s stream flowing into the sea over the past 20 months. This was made possible thanks to a unique robot arm device, which collects the flotsam and then deposits it in containers.
The device, called SeaProtectorOne, has done such a good job that the local authorities would like to rent it until February 2027. That application, designed by All in On Green, has the potential to solve the plastic pollution caused by river-based cities in Europe.
The robot consists of a tower mounted on land, from which extends a collecting barrier equipped with a conveyor belt and a filter unit. The barrier automatically follows the water level so that the filter unit constantly filters the water for foreign objects.
This happens in an area from the water surface and 30 centimetres below it. Experience shows that most waste floats at this depth.
SeaProtectorOne has integrated sensors that detect when the robot needs to be emptied of waste. When emptying, the filter unit is raised, and all the waste is deposited into a waste bin via a conveyor belt.
The robot is also equipped with thermal cameras that detect whether sailors, surfers or swimmers are approaching. In such cases, the robot barrier goes up and creates free passage. It can be powered either by built-in solar cells or by connecting it to the main grid.
Each year, plastic waste equivalent to the weight of 57,000 blue whales is thrown into the world's oceans. At least 90% of that plastic waste, floating around the oceans, ends up in the sea via river systems, according to the Environmental Science journal.
“In the sea, waste is quickly dispersed and difficult to collect. Whereas the current in a river makes it possible to systematically filter waste in a limited area without disturbing fish and birds,” points out Peter Grønkjær, professor of marine biology at Aarhus University.
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
For the English-speakers that would be Saint Domnius, the patron saint of the Dalmatian capital
The famed torch will pass through more than 400 cities and towns in both Metropolitan and Overseas France
Yes, you guessed it right, that also includes baguettes and cheeses
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team