Key points in 30 seconds
- Around 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year (UNEP).
- Plastic makes up 85% of marine litter.
- Without action, this flow could reach 23 to 37 million tonnes a year by 2040.
- Our work: litter clean-ups, sorting and recycling, prevention, awareness, wildlife protection.
Why we must act now
11 million tonnesof plastic entering the ocean every yearSource: UNEP
85%of marine litter is plasticSource: UNEP 2021
Up to 90%of seabirds have ingested plasticSource: UNEP
Much marine litter comes from land: it is carried by wind, rain and rivers to the sea. Acting on rivers, riverbanks and natural areas therefore also protects the ocean.
Our clean-up work
- Litter clean-ups on beaches, riverbanks, forests and natural areas, with volunteers.
- Sorting and recovery: collected waste is sorted and sent to recycling channels whenever possible.
- Removing litter that is dangerous to wildlife: nets, fishing line, ropes, soft plastics.
- Prevention at the source: raising awareness about reducing packaging and single-use plastic.
- Education: workshops with schools and young people on where waste comes from and its impact.
- Reporting illegal dumping to local authorities so it can be removed.
How a clean-up operation works
- Site survey and agreement with the municipality or site manager.
- Equipping volunteers: gloves, bags, litter pickers, vests, safety instructions.
- Collection in teams, with sorting on site (plastics, glass, metal, hazardous waste).
- Weighing and inventory of waste to better understand where it comes from.
- Removal to the appropriate channels with the support of the local authority.
What your donation can fund
€15a collection kit for one volunteer (gloves, bags, litter picker)
€50sorting equipment for a clean-up operation
€150an awareness workshop for a class
Amounts given as an indication, based on commonly observed prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much plastic ends up in the ocean every year?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year.
Does picking up litter on a beach really help?
Yes: every piece removed will not break down into microplastics or injure an animal. Clean-ups also help identify where waste comes from and act at the source.
Can I take part in a clean-up?
Yes — write to us via the contact page to hear about upcoming operations and join the volunteers.