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Project Dates

Start: 2017

The Story

The Great Bubble Barrier is a Dutch social enterprise committed to tackling plastic pollution in rivers before it reaches the ocean. Founded in 2017, they developed an innovative technology that removes plastic from waterways without disrupting ship traffic or aquatic life. Each year, millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean via rivers, where cleanup becomes nearly impossible. Their Bubble Barrier intercepts plastic waste close to the source, covering the full width and depth of a river, without obstructing the passage of boats or fish. The first long-term Bubble Barrier was installed in Amsterdam in 2019 and has since captured over 1.000.000 pieces of plastic. To date, they have implemented four Bubble Barrier systems: three in the Netherlands – in Amsterdam, Katwijk, and Harlingen – and one in Vila do Conde, Portugal. With growing interest from cities around the world, they are working to scale this solution globally and help keep rivers clean through sustainable, scalable, and non-invasive technology.

Success Factor | Hero Moment

Over the years, the organisation has reached several milestones that mark steady progress and growing impact. In 2022, it was selected as a finalist for the Earthshot Prize. This was followed by the installation of a fourth Bubble Barrier in Harlingen in 2024, and an important milestone in 2025, when Bubble Barrier Amsterdam surpassed one million pieces of plastic collected. In 2026, the organisation was honoured to be named a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize, providing further motivation to continue tackling plastic pollution in waterways.

Submitter

The Great Bubble Barrier