New database helps businesses and consumers reduce plastic waste

River Cleanup is launching a database of smart solutions and practical tools to reduce plastic waste. The database offers both organizations and consumers concrete tips to avoid, reduce and recycle single-use plastic - from reusable alternatives to refillable products. With this, the Flemish non-profit organization aims to encourage behavioral change that contributes to a circular economy.

A historic agreement to solve the global plastic crisis is failing to materialize. The outcome of last UN summit on a first plastic treaty is a missed opportunity to tackle the problem at its source and get the industry to produce less plastic. Yet consumers and businesses should not wait for new regulations to take action themselves to reduce their plastic consumption.

Plastic pollution is a growing problem and tackling it is a shared responsibility. For example, the impact of plastic particles on our health is increasingly clear. They have been found in our drinking water, in fresh snow in Antarctica and even in our brains. To change this, River Cleanup is launching a single-use plastic database. It offers concrete and accessible advice on how to reduce your plastic footprint and contribute to a cleaner planet and sustainable future. The database is supported by the Flemish government's Department Omgeving (department of environment) and is in line with Europe's plans to limit packaging waste by 2030.

The average European generates 186.5 kilograms of packaging waste per year. In Belgium, half of plastic waste is not recycled and overall, plastic remains the least recycled waste category (54% in 2022). Recycling alone is therefore not enough to address this problem.

“Many people think recycling is the solution, but only a small portion of plastic waste gets a second life. Almost a third (32%*) of the plastic from PMD bags in Belgium is not recycled. It is destroyed or exported to countries where it is often dumped or burned next to oceans or waterways” - Thomas de Groote, founder of River Cleanup.

The best solution? Avoid plastic. “This way we also prevent plastic from disintegrating into harmful microplastics in the environment. The most sustainable packaging is the one we don't use,” explains Thomas de Groote. Politics are quietly moving along: by 2030, the use of single-use plastic will be restricted. Besides the most common disposable plastic packaging such as cutlery, cotton buds and straws that were already banned, plastic packaging of fresh vegetables and small bottles of shampoo in hotels, among others, will also be banned in Europe.

In addition, all plastic packaging must now be recyclable. Also, packages from online stores may no longer be sent almost empty. So companies face a huge challenge: making their packaging sustainable, their processes circular. Recycling plays a role in this, but prevention and reuse is even more important. With the launch of the database, River Cleanup wants to offer everyone support in that challenge.

“We want to make companies and individuals more aware of single-use plastic and initiate a transformation that has a positive impact on the environment, biodiversity, CO2 emissions, as well as our health.” - Elien Schildermans, Project Manager at River Cleanup

The database is a free platform that provides around 200 solutions to disposable plastic. Companies can find practical tips on sustainable solutions in the database, such as using concentrated cleaning agents or reusable packaging materials. Examples include reusable pallet covers to replace wrapping film, cleaning tabs that are diluted with water or a water dispenser instead of individual bottles. There's a focus on different sectors, such as offices, cleaning services, the automotive industry and events.

Individuals can also discover ways they can reduce their daily use of single-use plastic in the database. For example, using washing strips instead of plastic bottles of detergent, choosing products that are not individually wrapped, using reusable take-away containers or refilling personal care products. The database also contains practical downloadable tools, including checklists. Finally, you will find an overview of companies and organizations offering alternatives.

Nicolas De Schutter, President at Multi Masters Group: “On River Cleanup's recommendation, we switched to concentrated cleaning products and large packages. We now also work with dispensing caps and bulk dispensers. That way we save 1045 kilos of plastic every year. In the future, we would like to expand this sustainable approach.”

Reduce your plastic!