top of page

Jan 2025

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

CLEAR RIVERS Litter Trap Coolhaven (1)s.jpg
CLEAR RIVERS Litter Trap Coolhaven (3)s.jpg
CLEAR RIVERS Litter Trap Coolhaven (5)s.jpg

Litter Trap pilot with propeller engine to create a new current. 

Jan 2025

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.

Recap of 2024 in video

Dec 2024

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.

Coolhaven new current.JPG

Litter Trap pilot with propeller engine to create a new current. 

Dec 2024

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.

CLEAR RIVERS educational video in Vietnamese spoken word

Dec 2024

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.

Heijmans 2.jpg

Litter Trap in the Gent-Terneuzen canal, the Netherlands

Oct 2024

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

Litter Trap BRUSSELS.jpg

Litter Trap in Brussels, Belgium

Sept 2024

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

theUsual.jpeg
DEPT.jpeg
GarantiBank.JPG
CLEANups.jpeg

Cleanups in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

Modular Litter Trap

Jan 16, 2020

Updated: Jan 17, 2020

Our brand new developed Passive Litter Trap is premiered at the Dutch Design Week! This renewed design will increase our national and international impact to prevent plastic litter to enter seas and oceans. The Litter Trap will be installed in rivers and ports to directly stop plastic litter in their flow.

Recycled Island Foundation retrieves plastic litter in rivers and ports since 2014. The recovered plastic is recycled into valuable new products such as Litter Traps.

The Litter Trap redevelopment is supported by the Audi Environmental Foundation. Acting towards a plastic free sea together!


From plastic litter to durable housing.

Nov 21, 2019

Updated: Jan 17, 2020

In most of the areas where plastic pollution is highly concentrated also the housing situation is poor. People live in slums and have a high demand for durable shelter. The bricks can be used as building blocks to make many modular and circular designs. Each brick is made of 1.5 kilos of 100% recycled plastic with dimensions of 200x100x135mm (LxBxH).Recycling plastic litter into housing turns the environmental problem into a benefit for the local population. It shows the potential and value of circular re-use.



This project is a collaboration of:

Recycled Island Foundation with UniBrick: https://www.consciousdesigns.nl/unibrick







Pet Kupa river cleanup at the Tisza. DAY#3

Nov 21, 2019

Updated: Jan 17, 2020

The team of Recycled Island Foundation joined this year’s river cleanup with Pet Kupa along the Tisza river in Hungary.

The Tisza is one of Danube’s most beautiful yet polluted tributaries. It begins in Ukraine, flows almost entirely through Hungary and then enters the Danube in Serbia.

The boat race, a lifetime adventure organized by the Hungarian NGO Plastic Cup, contributes to clean the river and its shores, to increase awareness and to build a solid network of experts. This is done by allowing volunteers to sail with boats made with recycled plastic for more than 80 kilometers and to collect plastic litter along the Tisza.

This year, we shared the paddles with the ICPDR (International Commission for the Protection of te Danube River) and were awarded the second prize. Throughout the boat race, more than 10 tons of plastic litter have been collected and a significant impact towards plastic-free rivers has been made. We cannot wait to take part in the next boat race and we are inviting you to join us!

See here the vlog of day 3.






​

bottom of page