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.

How Do We Monitor Plastic Pollution in Rivers?
Bubble Barriers are effective tools for catching plastic pollution in rivers. After removing the plastic waste from waterways, we are able to closely sort and monitor the catch. The collected data...
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...
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...
United Nations 2023 Water un water conference in New York, main takeaways
Our Main Take-Away From the UN 2023 Water Conference
The United Nations 2023 Water Conference took place from 22-24 March in New York focusing mainly on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All. A historical event, as it was the first UN Water...
How Bubble Barriers Contribute to Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Plastic pollution is a global challenge affecting our rivers, oceans, and the ecosystems that depend on them.[1] At The Great Bubble Barrier, we’ve created an innovative, nature-based solution to...
Local Communities Taking Action to Clean Their Rivers from Plastic with Bubble Barriers
Local Communities Taking Action to Clean Their Rivers
Citizens and local communities witnessed the plastic problem in their rivers and took matters into their own hands. Through their perseverance and outreach, they helped install a Bubble Barrier to...
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.”

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...
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.