Clean Up Svalbard – Working together for a clean Arctic

Hello ice pioneers,

The Arctic is a place of indescribable beauty —a world of ice, silence, and endless expanses. Anyone who has ever experienced the untouched landscape of Spitsbergen (also known as Svalbard) knows how precious and worthy of protection this fragile ecosystem is. But even here, far away from the big cities, our actions leave their mark: plastic waste finds its way to the remotest corners of the earth, reminding us how closely our planet is connected.

Our customers have seen it with their own eyes —on the beaches of Spitsbergen, where washed-up plastic waste bears witness to the fact that no place is too remote to be spared the effects of our consumer behavior.

How does plastic even get into this remote region?

In many ways. A significant portion comes from fishing and shipping in the Barents Sea, but ocean currents also carry waste from all over the world to the shores of the Arctic. Everyday items—lighters, bottle caps, nets, packaging—travel for up to two years before washing up here.

Scientists estimate that over 79,000 tons of plastic waste end up in the waters between Spitsbergen, Greenland, and the Barents Sea alone every year—a load equivalent to approximately 50,000 cars.

The problem: plastic does not disappear. Wind, waves, and UV rays break it down into smaller and smaller particles until it enters the food chain as microplastics. Seabirds, fish, and marine mammals swallow the tiny fragments—often with fatal consequences. The Arctic may seem far away, but what happens there affects us all.

Clean Up Svalbard: Joining forces against plastic waste in the Arctic

Clean Up Svalbard is an initiative that has been clearing plastic waste from the beaches of Svalbard for over 20 years. Launched by the Governor of Svalbard and supported by AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) and local authorities, it is now one of the most effective measures against plastic pollution in the Arctic.

Year after year, volunteers—travelers, researchers, expedition crews, and locals—commit themselves to clearing the beaches of trash. Equipped with gloves, trash bags, and a clear goal in mind, they set out to collect the washed-up waste. Everything collected is transported to the recycling station in Longyearbyen to ensure that it is disposed of properly.

You can take action yourself

When youbook with inventia, you havethe opportunity to get involvedand contribute to the protection of the Arcticon selected trips.

Together with other members ofthe AECO(Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) – an association of expedition tour operators committed tosustainable tourism in the Arctic– and their passengers, you too can contribute to reducing plastic waste: three to four of the approximately 20 tons of plastic waste removed from the beaches of Spitsbergeneach year can be attributed to you.

Our customers have already participated in these missions with great dedication in the past—an experience that not only touches the heart, but also makes the reality of plastic pollution tangible.

During one of our last expeditions , so much plastic was collected that the waste no longer fit on board the expedition ship. The expedition leader informed the Sysselmen, the administration of Spitsbergen, and organized helicopter transport for the large garbage bags. 

The Arctic reminds us how precious and fragile our planet is—and how important it is to protect its delicate ecosystems. The Clean Up Svalbard initiative shows that every little bit helps to relieve the burden on this fragile ecosystem.

Join us and make your trip a valuable contribution to protecting the Arctic!

With polar regards,

Yours, Stephanie Gräf