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.

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...
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...
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...
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...
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.

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....
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...
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...
Meet our Impact Researcher, Finn Begemann
Understanding and quantifying our impact is an essential part of the work we do at The Great Bubble Barrier. Today we chat with Finn Begemann, our former Impact Researcher, to learn more about how...
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.”