River Cleanup - Making a difference worldwide in the fight against plastic pollution
What began as a local cleanup effort has grown in just a few years into an international movement with an impact in over 100 countries. River Cleanup, a Belgian non-profit founded in 2019, is fighting plastic pollution in rivers. "With our broad, holistic approach and a network of thousands of volunteers worldwide, we want to not only clean up waste but also prevent it from ever ending up in nature," says Arno Doggen, COO of River Cleanup.
Jul 03 2025
3 minutes
“We started with small clean-ups,” Doggen explains. “But we quickly scaled up to an international framework. Today we are active in 101 countries. Belgium, Indonesia and Cameroon We also set up large-scale projects.”
River Cleanup's mission is clear: raising awareness of the waste problem, preventing waste from ending up in nature and rivers and accelerating structural changeThey do this through their own Clean River model, which is built around three pillars: Empower People, Prevent Pollution, and Accelerate Change.
Creating support and stimulating behavioral change
"At Empower People, it's all about engaging people in our story," Doggen explains. "We give workshops in schools, raise awareness among young people, and support local leaders worldwide who are setting up their own initiatives."
River Cleanup also remains active in Belgium, although the waste problem there is relatively smaller than in Indonesia, for example, where the infamous Citarum River is known as one of the most polluted in the world. In Cameroon, the organization works on the banks of the Wouri River.
From trash to policy: a multi-pronged approach
With its Prevent Pollution pillar, River Cleanup aims to prevent waste before it reaches the environment. "We place eco-bins in schools and communities, set up waste banks, and work on projects related to plastic reduction and alternative materials," says Doggen. "We also continue to organize cleanups, where we literally go into the river to collect waste."
These waste collections are hard and dirty work. "It's often manual, labor-intensive, and the waste stinks. But it remains important," says Doggen.
Yet the focus is increasingly shifting to prevention. "We want to stop waste before it reaches the water. We do this with barriers in the river, but even better through structural changes."
Hormone Balance
Numerous recent studies show that plastic pollution isn't a distant issue. "Microplastics are everywhere these days. In our air, our food, even in our brains," Doggen warns. "Links have been found with diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and hormone imbalances. That's why it's also a health problem."
Sorting facilities
"In Belgium, we collaborate with recycling partners," Doggen explains. "Abroad, we have our own sorting facilities. The recyclable material is sold to recyclers. What isn't recyclable, we store and incinerate under controlled conditions."
For Doggen, it's clear: "Plastic pollution is a global problem that affects everyone. The solution doesn't lie solely with the government, consumers, or manufacturers. We all have to do our part. Only then can we achieve real, lasting change."
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Article: Merel Van Ael | Journalism - AP University of Applied Sciences
Video: Floortje Scheers | Journalism - AP University of Applied Sciences
