Microplastics in the Rhine. The Great Journey of Tiny Plastic Particles
Exhibition flyer
Duration: August 28, 2026 to end of 2027
The opening reception will take place on August 28 at 7:00 PM at the Natural History Museum. Admission is free.
Plastic has become an indispensable part of modern life. We wear it as clothing, use it in cosmetics, package food with it, and often dispose of it after a single use. But what happens to these small plastic particles once they disappear from our sight?
The special exhibition “Microplastics in the Rhine – The Great Journey of Tiny Plastic Particles” makes the often invisible pathways of microplastics visible. Visitors can follow tiny plastic particles on their journey—from our everyday lives through sewage systems and waterways all the way into the Rhine. Through six virtual reality stations, the exhibition offers fascinating insights into the spread of microplastics and demonstrates how closely our daily actions are connected to the ecosystems of our rivers.
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimetres in size. These tiny fragments enter the environment through a variety of pathways, including tyre wear, the breakdown of larger plastic waste, and synthetic fibres shed from textiles. They drift through the air, circulate in water, and are ingested by animals and humans alike. The Rhine is one of Europe’s most important rivers and also a major transport route for plastic waste. Large quantities of plastic are carried downstream into the North Sea, where they place considerable pressure on sensitive ecosystems.
The exhibition is based on the latest findings from the German-Dutch Interreg project “The Rhine Connects” (Der Rhein verbindet). As part of the sub-project “The Healthy Rhine” (Der gesunde Rhein), extensive studies on plastic litter and microplastic pollution in the Rhine were conducted between 2023 and 2025. The research revealed, among other findings, that food packaging and cigarette-related waste are among the most common plastic items found along the Rhine. Wet wipes are particularly problematic, as they often contain plastic fibres and decompose only very slowly in water. These investigations help researchers better understand the origins of plastic pollution, trace its distribution, and develop effective measures to reduce contamination.
ON TRACES. ON WASTE. ON US.
The special exhibition is complemented by works from Düsseldorf-based artist Gabriele Keßler. Under the title On Traces. On Waste. On Us., she presents photographs, objects, and installations that explore the visible and invisible consequences of increasing plastic pollution. Drawing on found objects and materials collected from rivers, seas, and other bodies of water, her works reveal the traces of human activity in nature. They address the growing burden of plastic pollution in aquatic environments and highlight the close relationship between nature and civilisation. In doing so, they make tangible how closely beauty and destruction, fascination and responsibility are intertwined.
A PROJECT FOR A HEALTHY RHINE
The exhibition was developed in cooperation with the Dutch museum De Bastei in Nijmegen and is supported, among others, by the EU Interreg project “The Rhine Connects” (Der Rhein verbindet). The project brings together German and Dutch partners with the shared goal of strengthening the Rhine as a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable living environment. In addition, the project addresses challenges such as the protection of migratory fish species and the reduction of environmental pressures on the river system in order to preserve the Rhine as a valuable habitat for future generations. The exhibition is further supported by the Düsseldorf-based environmental organization Blocksblocks Cleanup as a project partner.