Net’Léman

They’re everywhere. In the air, in the soil, in our bodies and in Lake Geneva. Microplastics.

Resulting from the gradual degradation of plastic, these micro-wastes measuring 5 millimeters maximum were at the heart of the 12th edition of Net’Léman, organized by the Association for the Safeguard of Lake Geneva (ASL). With almost 50 tons of plastic discharged into the waters of Lake Geneva each year, pollution by micro and nano plastics is a major concern for the lake’s ecosystem. As with many environmental issues, action must be taken rapidly: before the waste becomes so fragmented that it is invisible and makes its way into the food chain.

That’s why in May 2024, a thousand volunteers got together in 13 sectors around Lake Geneva to track down every piece of garbage – plastic or not, of course.  Volunteers on land, divers (including freedivers), paddleboard fans and various other lake fans joined forces to collect 3,525 kg of waste in just one weekend. The good news? The weight of the harvest is down in 2023, particularly concerning the number of cigarette butts collected. A positive development that testifies to the success of the communication campaigns run by ASL and other partners committed to this issue.

We’re proud to have contributed to this operation through the funding of the creation of communication material (branding, posters, flyers, teasers) and our involvement as volunteers in the field. As for the freediving…we’ll be back next year!