Make an impact with us
A 10-minutes cleanup in 2017 inspired Thomas de Groote to take action for plastic-free rivers. In 2019, River Cleanup was founded as a Belgian non-profit organization. Starting from zero, Thomas built a Belgian based non-profit organization with actions around the globe. You can make an impact with us.
In our first five years, we activated 285 000 volunteers in 100 countries, removed 3,5 million kilograms of river waste from nature and developed the Clean River Model as an open-source theory of change. We also evolved as an organization. Cleanup events are still important to generate awareness and to clean up existing pollution, but we now work holistically with strategic early intervention in the plastic lifecycle. All this starting from zero on a limited budget.
Just imagine what we can do with your support in the next five years.
Clean River Model
Our model to make and keep rivers plastic-free
The Clean River Model is an open-source theory of change that combines science, including Breaking the Plastic Wave, with our insights and experience from the field. The logic behind the Clean River Model is simple yet effective. Through strategic and early interventions in the plastic lifecycle, we prevent new plastic pollution and permanently remove legacy waste on land and in rivers. Plastics that are never produced cannot become waste. Plastics that have not leaked into the environment cannot pollute.
We are validating the Clean River Model in 2025-2026 along 3 rivers in Belgium, Indonesia and Cameroon. We aim to have the Clean River Model started in 100 rivers by 2030 and implemented in 1 000 rivers by 2050.
Read more about the Clean River Model or download the 2-page PDF below.
Three reasons why River Cleanup and our Clean River Model stand out
1. Impact by design
Everything we do is aimed at being as effective and (cost-) efficient as possible to make rivers plastic-free. That’s why the Clean River Model is open-source, highly scalable and aimed at maximum outputs, outcomes and impact for every euro invested.
2. Holistic approach
Single solutions cannot solve the problem, so integrated system change is needed. That’s why our approach is holistic with short-, medium- and long-term interventions, from virgin plastic use reduction to cleaning up legacy plastic pollution and circular economy solutions for collected plastics. From education programs to trash barriers. We know from experience that both human behavior change and smart technologies are needed.
3. Empowering people
We believe in cooperation and co-creation. In sharing knowledge instead of reinventing the wheel. In bringing global solutions to a local level and giving local solutions a global stage. The Clean River Model is open-source to empower individuals and local partners worldwide to use it, build upon it, and share what they have learned. This way we can support local initiatives, accelerate our collective learning and have more impact faster. It’s also an impact multiplier for your support.
Let's talk
The right partners make the difference. We’d love to hear from you and get your feedback on the Clean River Model. We also like to think along with you on how your support for plastic-free rivers enables you to achieve your goals, whether you work on plastic pollution, protecting freshwater ecosystems, oceans, biodiversity, health, climate change, education, poverty, livelihoods or any other related cause.
You can contact Hans today for a meeting to learn more about River Cleanup and our work. We understand and share the need for reliable partnerships and are happy to answer any questions you may have as part of your due diligence.
-
Hans Lenders
Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy (interim)