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.

Fish and Bubble Barriers
By Anne Marieke Eveleens Plastic pollution is a major threat to all water systems worldwide, causing harm to both human and animal life. Therefore, it’s crucial to clean waterways from plastic....
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...
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...
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...
6 Women Making an Impact on Our Ocean
6 Women Making an Impact on Our Ocean
In honour of International Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to 6 women making an impact on our ocean by spearheading various initiatives to combat ocean-related problems. Learn more about...
New UN treaty
What Does the New UN Treaty Mean for (Riverine) Plastic Pollution
The new UN treaty on plastic pollution has been hailed as the most important environmental agreement since the 2015 Paris Accord. But as with the Paris Accord, the hard work starts now if we are to...
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...
The Problem with Bioplastics
Plastic from renewable resources is already commonly available on the market, but terms such as ‘bioplastic’, ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ can be confusing for consumers. These terms are often...
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...