Our impact

Cleaning rivers from plastic pollution with bubbles

At The Great Bubble Barrier, we are committed to making a measurable impact on reducing plastic pollution in rivers and canals. We apply proven best practices and methodologies to measure our impact. Backed by data and research, our insights help shape policies and drive sustainable solutions. Learn more about our impact below.

Bubble Barriers capturing plastic

Bubble Barriers capturing plastic

OUR BUBBLE BARRIERS

Explore our impact

OUR RESEARCH METHODS

How do we monitor our impact?

Bubble Barriers are used as monitoring tools to assess plastic pollution types, levels and origins in each location. The data collected through monitoring our catch is important to effectively prevent plastic from entering rivers and canals in the future.

To ensure accuracy, collected waste is dried first, and organic materials are sorted out and excluded. This provides a clear understanding of plastic pollution without inflating results. Once the waste is dried and sorted, we categorize it using the river-OSPAR method, an international standard for waste monitoring.

This systemic approach helps us identify pollution trends and compare data across locations, guiding our efforts to address plastic pollution more effectively.

OUR BLOG POSTS

Read more about plastic pollution

Besides researching our Bubble Barrier impact, we continuously work on amplifying the latest global research on plastic pollution. Because the more we know, the better equipped we are to tackle the issue at the root.

8 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea, located in the southeastern part of the North Sea, offers unique geological and ecological values to the region. Spanning an area across Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, it is...
Bubble Barrier Amsterdam Captures Over 1 Million Pieces of Plastic
Bubble Barrier Amsterdam Captures Over 1 Million Pieces of Plastic – A Milestone for Cleaner Waterways
Amsterdam, 20 August 2025 – Since its launch in 2019, Bubble Barrier Amsterdam has successfully intercepted more than 1,000,000 pieces of plastic from the city’s waterways, marking a major milestone...
First Community-Led Bubble Barrier Stops Plastic Pollution From Entering the North Sea
MAY 2022 - What started in 2018 as an initiative of concerned citizens, has now grown into a unique, widely supported mission to tackle plastic pollution in the Katwijk region, The Netherlands. This...
Plastic Recycling
Plastic is a popular product which is widely used, with an increase in global annual production from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to over 400 million tonnes today [1]. A major reason for the success of...
Why Macroplastics Should Be Considered Water Pollutants
Globally, water systems face a variety of critical threats, such as extreme weather events, saltwater intrusion, and pollution. Strong international policy is essential in combating and preventing...
5 Game-Changing Plastic-Free Innovators You Should Know About
Plastic is a useful and durable material, so why do we use it for items that we will discard in a second? In a world where we are so dependent on plastic, what are the alternatives? In this blog...
Our Take on the UN Ocean Conference 2022
The UN Ocean Conference took place from 27th June to 1st July in Lisbon, Portugal under the theme: “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of SDG 14: Life...
Six Organisations Tackling Plastic Pollution
7 Organisations Tackling Plastic Pollution in our Waterways

Plastic pollution is a major threat to our waterways, affecting ecosystems and human health. Tackling this problem requires creative and collaborative solutions. Meet six organisations working to reduce and prevent plastic pollution in our rivers and canals.

project MAELSTROM launches a Bubble Barrier in Portugal
European project MAELSTROM launches a Bubble Barrier in Portugal to catch Plastic in the Ave River at Vila do Conde
VILA DO CONDE, 25 November 2023 - Project MAELSTROM brings together a consortium of 14 international partners with the mission to investigate and implement innovative technologies for the...
The Plastic Soup in Rivers
By Anne Marieke Eveleens When we think of plastic pollution in water, we often associate it with 'the Plastic Soup' in the ocean. But have you heard of the plastic problem in our local rivers? New...