Toxic Dumping in the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas on our planet. On Baltic Sea Day, August 26, 2025, scientists and policymakers once again confirmed what local communities, fishers, and environmental organizations have known for decades: the Baltic is in a state of crisis. Eutrophication, oxygen depletion, hazardous substances, biodiversity loss, and collapsing fisheries continue to threaten its fragile balance.

In the midst of this reality, Stockholm City is planning to dump up to 200,000 cubic meters of toxic dredge spoils from the Norra Djurgårdsstaden urban development project into Kanholmsfjärden, a vital part of the Stockholm archipelago.

Why this matters

Kanholmsfjärden is not a landfill. It is a living marine environment—home to sensitive seabed ecosystems, fish populations, small-scale tourism, and vibrant island communities. The fjärden is also a critical passageway for sea traffic between the outer archipelago and the city of Stockholm.

The dredged material is far from harmless. It contains arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc, chromium, mercury, TBT, PCBs, creosote, and other hazardous substances. Stockholm City has described the risks as “small and temporary,” but the reality is the opposite. Toxic sludge deposited over 60,000 m² will inevitably spread across 2 million m² or more. The long-term ecological, economic, and social consequences are unpredictable, irreversible, and unacceptable.

A contradiction to sustainability goals

Norra Djurgårdsstaden is marketed as one of Europe’s most sustainable urban development projects. To solve its cleanup problem by transferring toxic waste into a fragile marine environment is a direct contradiction of that vision. It undermines not only Stockholm’s credibility but also Sweden’s international reputation as an environmental leader.

There are better solutions

Dumping waste at sea is not the only option. Land-based treatment and reuse of dredged materials are proven, possible, and in line with the precautionary principle. These solutions may appear more costly in the short term, but the long-term costs of destroyed ecosystems, lost fisheries, declining tourism, and damaged public trust are far greater.

A call to protect the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea cannot take more abuse. Communities in the archipelago have already raised their voices, and now we invite our global Ocean Community to stand with them.

By signing our petition, you help amplify a clear message to Stockholm City and the Land and Environmental Court:

👉 Stop the plan to dump toxic dredge spoils in Kanholmsfjärden.

👉 Protect the Baltic Sea, its ecosystems, and the people who depend on it.

👉 Support and scale sustainable alternatives like Smart Dry Dredging.

Add your voice

Ocean Community will deliver the collected signatures directly to Stockholm City. Together we can make it clear: the Baltic Sea deserves protection, not pollution.

👉 https://forms.gle/3sLajuV2kVG3Th4P7

Innovation Spotlight: Smart Dry Dredging

At Ocean Community, we believe that innovation is the key to breaking unsustainable cycles. That is why we are proud to highlight one of this year’s participants in our OC Award Accelerator: Smart Dry Dredging from Brazil.

Smart Dry Dredging is developing pioneering technologies to handle dredged materials sustainably, avoiding harmful sea dumping altogether. Their solution focuses on:

• Reducing environmental risks by eliminating the need for toxic disposal at sea.

• Transforming dredged materials into resources that can be reused or repurposed.

• Offering scalable alternatives that can be applied globally, including in the Baltic region.

This example proves that solutions already exist. With the right political will, investment, and public pressure, we can move away from outdated practices and embrace a future where dredging is circular, safe, and sustainable.