Press invitation - Join us for World Cleanup Day on 16 September
Cleaning up with a mission: join the River Cleanup movement for clean rivers
On Saturday 16 September 2023, millions of volunteers in more than 191 countries will be joining forces to clean up litter together as part of the fifth World Cleanup Day. River Cleanup, the Belgian non-profit organization, which cleans up rivers worldwide to stop plastic from reaching our oceans, is also doing its bit. The citizens' movement has set up more than 50 cleanup actions around the world, including three in its home country.
Global and local action
On World Cleanup Day, millions of volunteers, governments, and organizations unite to tackle the global litter problem and work together for a sustainable world. This citizen action, which will take place on Saturday 16 September 2023, is being organized for the fifth year running.
River Cleanup will be joining in again this year, setting up 50 actions in 17 countries, from Germany to Bolivia and even Ghana. In Belgium, the organization is organizing cleanup events in three cities: in Antwerp, Ghent - where up to 20 boats will take part in the waterway cleanup effort - and Liège. Those wishing to organize a local cleanup event are encouraged to do so.
More than just cleanups
Every year, more than 11 billion kilos of plastic reaches our seas and oceans, and this amount of waste is steadily increasing, with far-reaching consequences for humans and animals. Much of that waste ends up there via rivers. Besides cleaning up, it is therefore also important to tackle the problem at the source and avoid the use of disposable plastic as much as possible.
Thomas de Groote, CEO and founder of River Cleanup: "Recent research* showed that 1 in 3 Belgians (even 1 in 2 among young people) indicate that there is nothing they themselves can do to combat plastic pollution. This is a missed opportunity. Every piece of plastic that is not used is a piece of plastic that can never end up in nature or rivers. We hope everyone will become aware of the problem and become part of the solution with our cleanups."
Here’s how you can make a difference
River Cleanup invites all Belgians to team up and clean up on World Cleanup Day at one of three events in Antwerp, Ghent or Liege.
Antwerp
- What? Cleanup at Waagnatie
- When? Saturday 16 September 2023, 2pm-5pm
- Where? Waagnatie, Rijnkaai 150, 2000 Antwerp
- More information: https://www.river-cleanup.org/en/world-cleanup-day/world-cleanup-day-antwerp-2023
Ghent
- What? Cleanup at Houtdok, both on the banks and from the water with about 20 boats.
- When? Saturday 16 September 2023, 2pm-5pm
- Where? Houtdok, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- More information: https://www.river-cleanup.org/en/world-cleanup-day/world-cleanup-day-gent
Liège
- What? Cleanup along the Meuse and Ourthe rivers
- When? Saturday 16 September 2023, 2pm-5pm
- Where? Parc de la Boverie, All. Frédéric Chopin, 4020 Liège
- More information: https://www.river-cleanup.org/en/world-cleanup-day/world-cleanup-day-liege-0
Find useful tips on how to avoid plastic at home and at work on the River Cleanup website.
* Source: 3 in 4 Belgians are convinced that microplastics are harmful for them
If you wish to attend any of the three events and/or would like to interview Thomas de Groote during an impromptu civic cleanup event, contact [email protected] or call +32 (0) 485 19 28 15.
Contact
Thomas de Groote
CEO and founder River Cleanup
[email protected]
+32 (0)478 44 46 10
Aurélie Cordier
PR Manager MMBSY
[email protected]
+32 (0) 485 19 28 15