On September 26, the MaiMultVerde Association and volunteers from Novartis Romania carried out the first cleanup activity on the Via Danubiana ecotourism trail. According to a study conducted by the Association, nearly 100 tons of plastic are carried annually by the Danube waters on Romanian territory, and such actions significantly contribute to conserving environmental resources and the Danube’s natural ecosystem.
The Novartis Romania volunteers acted in the Friendship Bridge area, part of Mocanu Island, a wild beach with forest and fine sand, part of a network of islands and branches of the Danube. They collected 325 bags of waste, of which nearly 70% consisted of plastic and aluminum. The rest included household waste (70 bags) and a significant amount of glass (35 bags). This action is all the more important as the Danube’s water level is expected to rise in the coming days—including in the Giurgiu area—and the waste accumulated on the riverbanks could be swept away, eventually reaching the Danube Delta and the Black Sea.
According to MaiMultVerde data, the Romanian sector of the Danube transports on average 48.5 tons of microplastic and 48 tons of macroplastic each year. The highest concentrations are found on the water’s surface but also deeper, down to the riverbed—significantly impacting the aquatic biosphere. Polyethylene was identified in all samples, in proportions between 52% and 86%. This polymer is commonly found in most food packaging and household items such as plastic bags and containers.
Via Danubiana is the newest ecotourism trail in Romania, currently stretching over 100 km along the Danube in Giurgiu County. It was envisioned by MaiMultVerde to promote ecotourism in Danube communities.
“We are extremely happy to join this initiative and admire the efforts of MaiMultVerde. Our involvement goes beyond a simple gesture of social responsibility—it’s an expression of the values that define Novartis as an organization. We are committed not only to improving people’s health through medical innovation but also to positively impacting their lives in all aspects. That’s why we actively engage in initiatives that benefit both communities and the environment, recognizing that health also means a healthy environment, which can foster development and general well-being,”
declared Marcelo Rainer, General Manager of Novartis Romania.
For the Novartis Romania volunteers, participating in the Via Danubiana cleanup was part of the “Community Day” initiative, where they gather for volunteer activities supporting environmental protection and community well-being.
The MaiMultVerde Association aims to document, map, and minimally develop new segments of the Via Danubiana trail, creating a continuous path connecting dikes, forests, villages, towns, and fields along the Danube through kilometer markers and signage. The first such marker was installed this month in Giurgiu County, coinciding with the launch of a “Traveler’s Guide”, offering numerous recreational options—a model the association intends to replicate for every Danube-bordering county.
Via Danubiana – the trail that turns you back toward the water – offers many leisure opportunities in Giurgiu County. Nature lovers can explore an impressive diversity of species, making this an ideal spot for birdwatching and observing the Danube’s unique flora and fauna. Along the route, you’ll find protected natural areas that host over 300 plant species and rich wildlife, including rare species of invertebrates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.
From a cultural and historical perspective, the trail features lesser-known and unmarked places of interest, such as the ruins of Mircea the Elder’s fortress in Giurgiu, the Danube bridges, the historic sunken house (bordei), or the bunker complex in Slobozia. For local food enthusiasts, culinary traditions can also be revived, with dishes such as dulangaci pies specific to the Romanian-Bulgarian Danube area, roasted pepper and eggplant salads, or goose soup.
Moreover, the Danube beaches can become ideal weekend destinations for locals and tourists alike from across the country.
