It all started in 2017 with a challenge to pick up trash for only 10 minutes! Since then, the River Warriors have created a model that combines people and technology. Their Ripple Model is an approach that can be easily duplicated and used in different countries or regions.
They call themselves the River Warriors! These citizens have decided to combine people and technology in the fight against plastic pollution, while creating full-time jobs for local waste pickers and project managers. With their NGO River Cleanup, they have developed the Ripple Model. It is based on three pillars: clean, educate and transform. This model addresses different aspects of the pollution problem by focusing on awareness, education, local empowerment and transformation.
Involving local actors
Because each location is unique – types of waste vary, river conditions are diverse, cultures are different – River Cleanup’s approach always includes local communities, organizations and people. Projects create full-time jobs and use local materials whenever possible. This model can be easily duplicated by involving local stakeholders. “Plastic pollution is a very complex issue that involves many stakeholders. We can not solve this problem without having all parties united for the common mission”, according to the NGO team.
By the first quarter of 2022, the NGO had collected a total of 1.8 million kilograms of trash, mobilized about 150,000 people and organized over 2,500 events. Its network has grown to 57 countries and is active along 161 rivers.
There is still a lot of work to do. By 2024, River Cleanup wants to grown its focus countries to 15 (5 in 2022).
Are you ready to support these ambitious projects?
Elsie Gabriel wants to move towards a more ocean- literate society. This young activist has created the Ocean Schools program in India for young people and local communities.
Proper Strand Lopers is a Belgian citizen’s initiative born from a Facebook group. Education and awareness-raising about beach waste is central to this.
Allowing both land and people to flourish, connecting traditional communities in the Amazon area, researchers and environmentally engaged groups is the goal of the Meli Network project. A flourishing cooperation inspired by the Meliponini bees.
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