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.

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...
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...
Bubble Barrier Harlingen catches plastic before it flows into the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
APRIL 18, 2024, HARLINGEN - This UNESCO World Heritage Day, we celebrate the implementation of Bubble Barrier Harlingen – the first Bubble Barrier to stop plastic pollution from flowing into the...
What the High Seas Treaty Ratification Means for Our Ocean
On Friday, 19 September 2025, the world made history. The High Seas Treaty was officially ratified, a milestone nearly twenty years in the making. First introduced by the United Nations (UN) in...
Research into the Effects of Plastic Pollution on Human Rights

Research shows that every stage of the plastic life cycle harms the environment and human rights. In June, the UN Human Rights Council commissioned a three-year study on “Plastic Pollution and Its Implications for the Full Enjoyment of Human Rights.”

What Happened at the United Nations Ocean Conference
This year, the United Nations Ocean Conference took place from 9 to 13 June in Nice, France, bringing together representatives from nearly 200 countries to accelerate global action on ocean...
What are Microplastics? The Great Bubble Barrier
What Are Microplastics?
Let’s get to know microplastics! Plastic is integrated into our daily lives in so many ways, yet sometimes it goes unnoticed, especially microplastics. Understanding its definition, impacts, and...
Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026
The Great Bubble Barrier Named Finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026
Amsterdam, 13 October 2025 – The Great Bubble Barrier is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 in the Water category. Out of 7,761...
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: A Success in Tackling Plastic Pollution
In 2019, Amsterdam became the first city in the world to deploy the innovative Bubble Barrier technology in its iconic canals. Initially launched as a pilot, this pioneering solution has proven its...