We are very happy to announce that two of three CLEAR RIVERS litter traps are on their way to Romania! A third litter trap will join them in the coming weeks, and all three will be installed along the Romanian-Hungarian border, preventing plastic from reaching larger rivers in Hungary. Once installed, CLEAR RIVERS will have a total of five litter traps throughout Romania! We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon...
In Delft we did another successful pilot with electric propulsion. A created current pushes floating litter to the opposite quay. Where two small traps are placed. In Delft we tested different electric engines and flow speed. The aim is to effectively retrieve floating litter without disturbing people, boat traffic and animals. This with a minimal energy consumption. In Delft a very small current was sufficient. Previous pilots have been done in Rotterdam and Dordrecht. Next stop: Brussels.
This month we were joined by students from secondary schools in Rotterdam for another harbour cleanup, working together to remove litter and help protect our waterways. A huge thank you to the GreenTeams and EcoTeams from Melanchthon Bergschenhoek, Melanchthon Kralingen, Melanchthon Berkroden, and Melanchthon Business School, who joined us for the cleanup. We collected a total of 29kg of litter! Every bag collected and piece of litter removed makes a real difference - not only for wildlife and water quality, but for the communities that enjoy these spaces every day. These cleanups are a chance to connect with nature, meet like-minded people, and take direct action for healthier rivers and canals. Small actions add up, and when people come together, the impact can be remarkable! What's more, some of the material collected during our cleanups will soon have a second life through our exciting new Circular Workshop that we'll be launching later this year.
In Dordrecht we've concluded another successful pilot with electric propulsion. A propeller engine pushes plastic debris to the (other) side of the canal where our Litter trap can be placed for effective retrieval and removal. In Dordrecht we've tested different engines with different flow speed. The aim of the pilot is to come to a longtime durable solution to stop plastic pollution without disturbing its surroundings and boat-/ship traffic. In the coming months we will do similar pilots in Delft and Brussels. Interested if this concept can stop your local plastic pollution issues, please reach out.
We've reached circularity on Ambon! In 3 rivers we've installed trash booms, capturing all plastic debris and preventing it from reaching the sea. The plastic litter is recovered from the booms by our local partner Recovered Indonesia. With their brand new recycling machinery they are now able to recycle the plastic waste into valuable new products as furniture pieces. Ambon is one of the many islands in Indonesia. That has been facing plastic pollution for decades. Many products, brought to the island, are made of or wrapped in plastics. While no local recycling was in place. Our overall approach prevents marine debris and creates a new local circular economy. Many thanks to our local partner Reco and for the support of Eureka Network!
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1st new modular Litter Trap placed in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. This compact installation, to capture marine debris, is placed in the Riedijkshaven in Dordrecht. The Litter Trap will retrieve plastic marine pollution and will prevent further spreading, of litter, into our Dutch waterways and eventually the North Sea. The retrieval device will be emptied on a weekly basis. The Modular Litter Trap is our latest development to stop plastic marine pollution in a durable and (cost) effective manner. The design follows after installing more than twenty Litter Traps in international locations since 2017. The design is compact, modular and easy to implement. The different parts fit into the back of our van. In this way it can easily be transported to its location. After assembly the Litter Trap can be pleased by only two people. The Litter Trap is durable and produced of recycled plastic, making it an important element to achieve a circular economy. The installation in Dordrecht is done in collaboration with Waterschap Hollandse Delta and the Gemeente Dordrecht.
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Electric propulsion to stop plastic debris. In Rotterdam we’re concluding the 1st months of our pilot. An electric propeller engine pushes plastic debris out of the fairway towards our newly placed Litter Trap. In this way we will be even more effective with the retrieval of plastic marine pollution in rivers, canals and ports. Solar panels provide a durable energy source. We’ve tested the effect on different kinds of plastic, in different weather conditions and with different engine speeds. The conclusions will be used to optimize the installation. The final installation will have a maximum effect on capturing marine debris, while using a minimum in energy. Please stay tuned! Many thanks to Rotterdam Circulair and Brunel Foundation. 🩵
From marine pollution to durable new products in Can Tho, Vietnam! At CLEAR RIVERS, we believe in turning waste into value! Thanks to the collective efforts of our partners and community, after 6 months, 300kg of plastic waste collected from our Litter Trap on Cai Khe Canal and the Zero-Waste School Model at To Hien Thanh Primary School has been transformed into beautiful, functional recycled products! A huge THANK YOU to: * PLASTIC People & Mộc Saigon for their expertise in analyzing and producing these amazing recycled products. * UN Environment Programme & The Usual Hotels for sponsoring these impactful activities and making this transformation possible. * The management board, teachers & students of To Hien Thanh Primary School for their enthusiastic support in collecting plastic waste. * Can Tho People's Committee & Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Can Tho City for their invaluable support in making this initiative a success. This is just the beginning! By giving plastic a new life, we’re reducing waste, cleaning our waterways, and inspiring more sustainable solutions. Stay tuned for more updates and let’s continue working towards a cleaner, greener future!
Additional Litter Trap for Rotterdam! CLEAR RIVERS installed its 4th Litter Trap in the city of Rotterdam. This retrieval device for plastic marine pollution is part of our new pilot to stop plastic pollution also in the fairway. Born from our educational program comes the idea to create a new current to divert plastic marine debris, from the fairway, into our Litter Trap. Last December we had the first successful day of testing in the real life situation and we're currently setting up a three month trail. An electric propeller engine will create a new flow to steer marine pollution. In the first day we've tested any potential negative impact on ships and boats passing by. The new current seems strong enough to divert plastic yet weak enough to effect ship traffic. In the coming months we will further test, optimize and monitor this new way of stopping plastic debris. So please stay tuned! Many thanks to our partners Gemeente Rotterdam, Brunel Foundation, Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland, CrossFit Coolhaven
Thank you for your support and collaboration in 2024! We've already started running in 2025 with: - An additional Litter Trap placement in Rotterdam. - The production of a new modular, low budget, Litter Trap. - The development of recycled floatlands to improve the ecosystem in the Mekong Delta. All For a plastic free sea Thank you 🩵 Marjolein Van Noort Jeroen Wupkes Thuy Vo (Teddie) Garanti BBVA, International Brunel Foundation, The Usual Hotels, Rotterdam Circulair, WaterBear Network, Nexio Projects, Green Business Club Rotterdam Alexander, Port of Brussels, Torqeedo, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.
CLEAR RIVERS starts a new pilot to stop plastic pollution. Born from our educational program comes the idea to create a new current to divert plastic marine pollution, from the fairway, into our Litter Trap. Last week we had the first day of testing in a real life situation. An electric propeller engine creates the new flow to steer floating debris. In the first day we've tested any potential negative impact on ships and boats passing by. The new current seems strong enough to divert plastic yet weak enough to effect ship traffic. In the coming three months we will further test, optimize and monitor this new way of stopping plastic debris. So please stay tuned! Many thanks to our partners Gemeente Rotterdam, Brunel Foundation, Torqeedo, CrossFit Coolhaven.
We're excited to share CLEAR RIVERS educational video in Vietnamese! This project is the result of a collaboration with the Graphic Lyceum Rotterdam, where a talented group of students poured their creativity into translating our mission into engaging visuals. This video will be used in our educational programs, helping us explain the significant impact of plastic pollution on water bodies, and how even small pieces of trash can cause big problems for marine life. The animation introduces the innovative Litter Trap, an invention by CLEAR RIVERS that acts like a superhero, capturing trash before it reaches the ocean. Our mission extends beyond just cleanup efforts; we aim to change how people think about and handle trash in their daily lives. By keeping the environment clean and working together, we can make a huge difference. Join us in protecting our rivers and oceans.
The Litter Trap pilot in the Gent-Terneuzen canal comes to an end after one year of effective retrieval and monitoring. Many thanks to our project partners Heijmans and Coca-cola Europacific partners. Within this pilot we've seen how our Litter Trap can be effective in large canals with ongoing ship traffic. The Litter Trap was successful in retrieving cross-border (Belgium-The Netherlands) macro marine pollution. But, also a shockingly large quantity of micro plastics was recovered from the water column. Especially the plastic nurdles / pallets were found in large number in the canal that connects the city Gent with the North Sea. Currently we are exploring a new location for this Litter Trap.
The Usual sponsors our Litter Trap in Brussels, Belgium. This new partnership allows a continued operation in the Brussels-Charleroi canal. The Litter Trap is originally placed in 2018 and is frequently emptied by the Port of Brussels. Last year 50m3 of floating litter was collected and removed from the water. Does your company also want to support our Litter Trap placements, then please contact us via info@clearrivers.eu
In the Autumn we've intensified our Clean up actions in the Netherlands again. Several cleanups were organised in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Together with local companies, volunteers and students we've cleaned the canals, quays and streets to prevent further disperse of plastic waste. If you and your school or company also want to hold a cleanup with us, then please contact us via info@clearrivers.eu
We are happy to announce our new educational program focused on prevention and recycling of marine litter in Zwolle!
More than 100 pupils will advise CLEAR RIVERS on how to effectively retrieve and recycle plastic litter in the IJssel.
Stay tuned for their ideas and proposals.
Many thanks to: Natuurenmilieuoverijssel Thorbeckesg
stichting Openbaar Onderwijs Zwolle en Regio (OOZ) Onderwijsroute 10-14 and Provincie Overijssel
Here is the video showing CLEAR RIVERS' latest educational program with more than 500 students!
The winning idea will be exposed at the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam for one year!
We would like to thank all the schools and our partners that participated and helped us realize this project.
Gooislyceum, Walburg College, ISW Hoogeland, Arno Bonte, Rotterdam Circulair, Dalton Lyceum Barendrecht and RDM Centre of Expertise
Over the last 3 months, we challenged 500 students from 7 different schools to come up with innovative and sustainable ways to improve CLEAR RIVERS' Litter Traps.
We were fascinated by the over 170 ideas that were brought forward!
Today we are excited to announce the winner of this challenge: Maria, Marijn, Jade, and Thijs from Christelijke Lyceum Delft with their idea: installing a plastic detector that activates a motor to change the current so that the plastic can float into the Litter Traps.
The winning idea will be exposed at the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam for one year!
We would like to thank all the schools and our partners that participated and helped to realize this project.
Gooislyceum, Walburg College, ISW Hoogeland, Arno Bonte, Rotterdam Circulair, Dalton Lyceum Barendrecht and RDM Centre of Expertise
