The Cleanup Norway in Time programme covers all coastal counties along Norway’s outer coastline and operates particularly in areas with difficult access and demanding weather conditions, which place high demands on HSE.
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Large amounts of litter along the coast
Statistics from the Cleanup Norway in Time programme show that both Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag are among the country’s most affected areas for marine litter. In Møre og Romsdal, 316 kilos are cleaned up waste per kilometre of coastline on average – making the county one of the most exposed areas in Norway. New assignments are now being announced in the outer parts of Kristiansund, Averøy, Hustadvika, Aukra and Molde in 2026, with possible options for 2027 and 2028.
Trøndelag is also among the counties hardest hit. On average, there are 169 kilograms of marine litter per kilometre of coastline, and a quarter of all the waste collected through the programme has been collected here. The new assignment covers the outer parts of Osen, Åfjord, Ørland, Orkland, Hitra and Frøya during the same period.
On Svalbard, records are set year after year. In 2025, 33 tonnes of marine litter were collected, up from 32 tonnes the year before. The density of litter is very high – around 386 kilos per kilometre of coastline, far more than on the mainland.
Challenging conditions require experienced operators
The three areas share one common characteristic: Cleanup work takes place under demanding conditions and places considerable demands on equipment, experience and safety.
“The cleanup effort carried out so far has been tremendous. Thanks to the money raised from the sale of plastic bags, we can now announce new assignments in all three regions,” says Cecilie Lind, CEO of The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.
In both Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag, the need for suitable boats, experienced personnel and strong HSE expertise is emphasised. The areas are often exposed to the weather and wind, and several locations are difficult to access.
In Svalbard, the work is made even more complicated by Arctic conditions, a short season and frequent polar bear sightings. The cleanup expeditions always operate with a polar bear guard and often have to change their plans on nature’s terms.
