Rotterdam River Cleanup success with more than 70 participants and 300 kg collected waste
Rotterdam, 5 July 2020 - Every year, about 8 billion kilograms of waste end up in our seas and oceans. 80% ends up there from rubbish in rivers. The Belgian organization River Cleanup aims to make as many people as possible aware of this worldwide, but above all to encourage them to do something about it together. After numerous successful campaigns in Europe and Asia, River Cleanup now organised a cleanup in the Rotterdam port area for the first time, which was a great success with more than 70 participants.
It all started in August 2017, just under three years ago. At the time, Thomas de Groote - the Belgian founder of River Cleanup - was challenged to do something really simple: spend 10 minutes a day picking up litter for 10 consecutive days. River Cleanup has now developed into an organization that is committed to protecting waters from plastic waste throughout the world. In early June, for example, on the eve of World Ocean Day, River Cleanup World was organized, with no less than 324 campaigns in 45 countries, and covering 161 rivers.
Today, for the first time, River Cleanup organised a campaign in Europe's largest port area. Due to its location on the North Sea in the delta of major European rivers, the port of Rotterdam forms a funnel for plastic and other dirt.
In collaboration with Youngship Rotterdam, CLEAR RIVERS, Zwerfie Rotterdam and WasteShark, River Cleanup approached the area around the Havendijk with about 70 people in smaller groups. Besides grippers, gloves and mouth masks, Boma Rotterdam took care of the general covid-proof hygiene during the event.
Credits photography: ekobie
A total of 302 kg of waste was collected. This was processed circularly via partner CLEAR RIVERS and is sorted and recycled into plastic catchers, floating parks, furniture or building materials. After the cleanup, a drink sponsored by Royal Roos was offered.
Credits photography: ekobie
Waste Shark: a partner with bite
In addition to its own hands, Waste Shark was a nice addition to this cleanup. The people of Rotterdam have already aptly christened it ‘baaihaai’ (bay shark). We are talking about a drone that is swimming around in the ports of Rotterdam. And it devours plastic, quite a lot of it. By means of special sensors, similar to those of an automatic lawn mower, the bay shark ensures that it doesn’t collide with anything.
Participating yourself
With this campaign, River Cleanup wanted to herald the start of River Sunday. This is not about large-scale campaigns, but about brief efforts to carry out a clean-up action in a brook or river near you. A monthly ritual on the first Sunday of the month to contribute to a more beautiful world, and to strengthen awareness of the problem on a regular basis. The next River Sundays take place on 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November and 6 December. You can register your own campaign here.
On 12 September you can also participate in the Rhine Cleanup together with 20,000 other volunteers. The Rotterdam delta forms the end of the Rhine (via Lek, De Waal) and is the perfect ending of this action. You can register here.
About River Cleanup
River Cleanup started in 2017 with a 10-minute clean-up, expanded to 10,000 volunteers in 60 cities along the Rhine in 2018, and 10 rivers with 50,000 participants in 20 countries in 2019. The non-profit organization makes people aware of the littering problem, and activates young and old to take action along rivers. River Cleanup also implements smart technologies to collect floating waste. In addition to cleaning up rivers and river banks, River Cleanup has developed programs for schools and companies to reduce the use of single-use plastic and to make participants part of the solution.
Contact
River Cleanup
Thomas de Groote
+32 (0)478 44 46 10
MMBSY (voor pers en media aanvragen)
Karen Schellekens
+32 (0)485 79 92 03