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.

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.”

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...
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...
First screen of air bubbles stops plastic from Amsterdam's canals
First Screen of Air Bubbles Stops Plastic from Amsterdam’s Canals
AMSTERDAM, November 7, 2019 – Today, the first Bubble Barrier was launched in the Westerdok in Amsterdam. The Bubble Barrier is a bubble screen and removes plastic from the water of the Amsterdam...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...