Approach

3R-method

We have developed the 3R method to tackle the plastic waste problem in water. This method tackles the problem in three steps: Research, Remove and Reuse.

By thoroughly understanding the problem in the Research step, we provide you with an idea of the location in the area where you can remove plastic from the water in the most sustainable and affordable way. With the insight from the first step, we can then use the most suitable solution in the Remove step to remove the plastic. To ensure that the plastic waste problem in water can be definitively stopped, we provide insight into the plastic that has been removed in the Reuse step. We can help you to set up preventive measures and policies from local to European scale.

Nothing speaks more than images.

In order to solve a problem, you must first understand the problem. In the Research step we help you to gain more insight into where the plastic comes from and where it goes. We provide insight into the sources, the transport and the locations where the plastic accumulates.

Using various methods and techniques, we can provide insight into the potential hotspot locations, the degree of pollution in your area and the flux of plastic at crucial points in your water area.

Resources, transport and hotspots

Geographical analysis

The Noria GIS method looks at three steps: possible sources of plastic waste, routes that the plastic is expected to follow, and locations where there is a good chance that the plastic will remain there (plastic hotspots). The sources and possible accumulation sites are identified using the GIS analysis. It is then made clear how the plastic can be transported from source to hotspot. The water system analysis is used for this. By combining these two analyses, a more complete picture is possible of: where plastic can come from, when and how it is transported and where the plastic may accumulate. We validate these potential hotspots in the field. This gives us a first picture of the quantities and type of plastic that are present at these hotspots at these locations.

Resources, transport and hotspots

Floating plastic

Plastic monitoring

To determine in which locations the most effect can be achieved with measures to remove the plastic from the water, it is important to know two things. In which watercourse is the plastic influx (flux) highest? How is this floating plastic distributed over the width of the waterway (from quay to quay) By placing cameras in strategically suitable locations, artificial intelligence models can continuously measure plastic flux and distribution. The model we developed further recognizes floating plastic objects in the water and links a unique ID to each of these objects, which are then counted. With these insights you can offer a much more targeted and affordable solution to the plastic that floats in your waterways.

Floating plastic

Floating plastic

Plastic monitoring

The percentage of plastic floating in the water column is very interesting to map. This has a major influence on the understanding of the relationship between the plastic that floats, floats or is already on the bottom. By gaining insight into the quantities and distribution of this suspended plastic in the water column, more informed decisions can be made for targeted and affordable solutions to remove the plastic in your waterway. We use sonar to map the plastic in the water column down to the bottom. The plastic that does not float but floats in the water column is currently more difficult to measure. Nets are currently mainly used for this purpose. It is often not possible to deploy nets over the full depth and width of the waterway. Measuring plastics in the water column with sonar therefore has a number of advantages compared to network measurements. Sonar can be used under varying river conditions, does not hinder shipping and can measure right down to the bottom.

Floating plastic

Microplastics

Plastic monitoring

The downside of plastic floating for a long time in the water is that it can degrade into microplastic due to chemical, biological and mechanical processes. Microplastic can harm marine animals' health when digested and ends up in our daily food. The quantity of microplastic (<5mm) present in our waterways is still unknown and critical to estimate. Using our multifunctional SurfSampler and the micro-plastic measuring nets, we collect water samples from our waterways. By driving the SurfSampler in a straight line, water samples are collected without influencing the microplastic occurring from any disturbance to get an accurate result. These samples from multiple runs are then stored in a separate jar removing excess water. The microplastics are manually filtered from organic waste and quantified to estimate the amount of particle present per square kilometer.

Microplastics

Thanks to the insight that has arisen from the Research step, we can help you to actually remove plastic from your water. For this we use the insights about the amounts of plastic and the transport profiles of the plastic in your area.

We can use one of our trapping systems to remove plastic. The CanalCleaner is a system designed for inner city areas and ports. The CirCleaner can be used on canals and rivers. We can also help you optimize the sailing routes of workboats in cities.

Removing plastic in slow flowing water

CanalCleaner

The CanalCleaner can be used in inner-city areas or in ports. These are areas where there is less current but a lot of influence from the wind. This system consists of a worm screw that is installed in corners where the waste is propelled by the wind, among other things. The CanalCleaner is powered by solar energy. The design of the CanalCleaner is based on the old principle with which the Greek Archimedes had the water pumped up in Egypt. Plastic waste is taken into the CanalCleaner, which is then collected in a collection bin in the core.

Removing plastic in slow flowing water

Remove plastic in fast flowing water

CirCleaner

The CirCleaner catch system is suitable for use at pumping stations, canals and rivers to remove plastic from the water in a sustainable and fish-friendly way. We place the system at a strategically chosen location where the plastic can be removed from the water in a sustainable way by natural forces such as water flow and wind. The drive of these systems is based on solar energy. In the future, these systems will be powered by hydropower where possible. The design of the CirCleaner is based on the old principle with which we used to pump out our polders. The CirCleaner scoops the plastic out of the water with one of its five scoops and then collects it in a container next to the system.

Remove plastic in fast flowing water

Dynamic support based on weather and local conditions

Optimization of workboat routes

Many cities are already actively removing plastic waste from the canals of their inner city. Work boats are often used for this purpose, which remove the plastic at several locations. To support these activities, we have developed a support service with which the yield of the removed waste can be increased. For this we have developed a dynamic model that takes into account determining factors for the displacement of plastic in the canal and (temporary) hotspots. For example, we look at the influence of the pumping stations that have a critical influence on the flow direction, the wind and activities that cause increased plastic waste on the street and in the canals. By adjusting the planning and route of the sailing routes to this, we can work with you to increase the yield of the waste removed from your canals.

Dynamic support based on weather and local conditions

To ensure that together we can definitively stop the plastic waste problem in water, we make new information from the removed plastic. With these insights about amounts and the type of plastic that is removed, new preventive campaigns can be set up or new policies can be developed to tackle the plastic preventively.

We present the insights to you in the ForSea dashboard. With this you always have insight into the size and the possibilities of a preventive approach to the plastic waste problem. Together with you, we like to think about local and national measures against the plastic waste problem.

Continuous insight into your progress

ForSea

In order to have continuous insight into the progress you are making in solving the plastic waste problem in your area, we have developed the ForSea dashboard. We will first discuss this with you to determine which insight is important to you. Based on this, we propose a design of the dashboard. The dashboard is accessible to you and your colleagues. Using the ForSea dashboard in your organization gives you continuous insight into the increase or decrease of plastic in your water in one environment. In addition, it provides insight into which types of plastic are particularly present. This is valuable input for drafting new campaigns and policies.

Continuous insight into your progress

Translation of removed plastic into prevention

Prevention advice

Based on our analyzes that map the type of plastic per location, it is possible to set up highly effective preventive measures and campaigns locally. Translating the waste found, the local activities that take place here and into which campaigns or measures this can lead will help you to combine plastic removal with preventive prevention. It is very interesting to use these insights from the analysis to see whether local sources can be identified where preventive measures can be taken. For example, for locations with a lot of Styrofoam, a source such as construction projects near the segments can be looked at. By entering into discussions with contracting parties (province, municipality) and contracting parties (contractor, project developer) about this pollution, a structural preventive measure can be sought together. In this way, this insight can lead to policy in the future, resulting in a decrease in new litter in the water.

Translation of removed plastic into prevention

Approach

3R-method

Nothing speaks more than images.

Geographical analysis

Plastic monitoring

Plastic monitoring

Plastic monitoring

CanalCleaner

CirCleaner

Optimization of workboat routes

ForSea

Prevention advice

Contact

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