In France, there is a lack of political will, but also a lack of reliable data on litter. That’s why we are simultaneously launching the Citizen Science project ReTour de France: everyone can participate simply by taking photos of litter along the way. AI analyzes the brand, type, and material, and converts the data into heatmaps and graphs – which can be used to engage the media and local politicians.
The results have been presented at conferences in Marseille and Nice, as a strong case for a national deposit system — supporting both recycling and reuse
Plastic Soup Surfer
My name is Merijn Tinga, the Plastic Soup Surfer.
In 2014, I built a surfboard using washed-up plastics and surfed it along the Dutch coast, earning my nickname: Plastic Soup Surfer. Since then, I'm focusing my campaigns on policy makers and companies.
My campaigns and expeditions have influenced political resolutions and have led to product bans. Together with an growing army of passionate people, we continue to drive results and influence change. I share my story to inform, inspire and help others to make a difference too.
Oslo – London – Paris – Rome: A Campaign Against Plastic Pollution
For more than a decade I have travelled the coastlines of Europe by windsurf and stand-up paddleboard, tracing the path of our plastic waste. From the source of the Rhine in the high Alps to the North Sea and from Oslo to London and further to Paris and Nice for the UN oceans conferencc, each expedition has been a message in motion: a physical plea for deposit-return systems on plastic bottles and cans. Not only theory, not only lobbying but also movement and a clear call for policy that works.
Deposit schemes reduce littered bottles and cans by up to 80 percent. We have seen it happen. In the Netherlands, our petition, resolution and campaigns were the spark that pushed the deposit system over the line. It changed the streets, the rivers, and the public conversation. The experience taught us something essential: system change is possible, but only when you combine public pressure, political timing and a story that people can feel, not just read.
This spring, I return to the water for the next chapter: Nice to Rome. The 4th long solo expedition on a self-built surfboard also using littered bottles from the river Tiber, that started in Olso. A campaign to highlight a simple truth—Italy can make the same leap the Netherlands made.The tools exist. The data is clear. And the urgency is unmistakable.
Our goal is not just to push for deposit systems. It is to share what we’ve learned with other countries, NGOs and policymakers: how to motivate citizens to collect data and move from awareness to legislation. We know the mechanics behind change because we have lived them—on the water, in ministries, the boardrooms and in parliaments.
The expedition from Nice to Rome is an invitation. To follow, to join, to adapt the strategy, and to accelerate the transition to cleaner rivers, cleaner seas and cleaner streets across Europe.
The route is long. But change becomes inevitable the moment you begin.
What you can do!
‘Rifiuti in Vista’: Citizen Science for the Nice–Rome Campaign
For the Nice–Rome expedition we launch Rifiuti in Vista — a citizen-science project using photo’s to map litter along the Italian coast. Political resistance in Italy is strong, and reliable data is scarce. That’s where you can make the difference.
Take photos of litter along your walk, ride or beach visit. Our AI dentifies the brands, materials and objects, and turns the results into maps and graphs we will use to brief journalists and policymakers throughout the campaign. (AI model developed by Zwerfinator)
Help us build the evidence Italy needs.
Every photo counts. Every dataset strengthens the case for a national deposit system.
Join Rifiuti in Vista — and paddle this campaign forward with us. (download the flyer with the instructions. Italian or English)
Get involved!
- Join Rifiuti in Vista — (download the flyer with the instructions. Italian or English)
- Share the project with your network in Italy
- Support the campaign with a donation — we run it with a small team and big dedication
Together, let’s make deposit return the European norm.
Paddling upstream – but never alone.
The expedition Paris to Nice in 60 seconds
Why France?
NEW BOOK: Tegen de stroom in
In stores now
On September 1st, my new book Tegen de stroom in will be released. A personal and urgent story about how to stay courageous and take action through all kinds of weather – quite literally.
ORDER "TEGEN DE STROOM IN" HERE
Research in Belgium: 5x More Cans and Bottles
We walked a 6 km research route through Antwerp, Brussels, and Namur. The results were the same everywhere: 4 to 5 times more cans and bottles on the streets compared to the Netherlands – where a deposit system is in place.
Our findings led to parliamentary questions in Wallonia and meetings with Flemish MPs.
In each city, local litter pickers joined us. They’re now starting photo-based research, which can be quickly and smartly analysed using AI.
Interested in doing a litter-research walk every three months? Get in touch!
Surfing & politics
In 2017, the Plastic Soup Surfer forces a political breakthrough with a resolution he drafted himself. Bottle deposits lead to a major decline in littering. The record attempt kitesurf crossing of the North Sea – 180km from The Netherlands to England, on a board made from plastic bottles – is the kickstart to a petition for bottle deposits, and is signed by 60 thousand people.
Captains of industry
He confronts the CEOs of Coca Cola, Heineken, Pepsico, Spa and Dutch supermarkets using a bailiff and a judicial notice specially developed for this occasion. He takes along the plastic bottles he found in the river Rhine after having paddled it from its source, high up in the Alps down to its murky river mouth (>1000km). A campaign from source to sea and then back upstream to the source of the plastic pollution: The companies.
Unite the fight
With the Dutch community of plastic activists and NGOs he organized a national conference on the future of plastics (2019). The resulting ‘Plastic Avengers Manifest’ states 5 principles to a ‘sustainable use of plastics’.
VP Frans Timmermans became the ambassador.
Ultra windsurf expeditions to advocate deposit return schemes in European countries
From June 22 until July 11, I've been on a 850 km windsurf and sup expedition from London to Paris on a board that contained littered plastic bottles from the Seine. During this expedition, I carried an alternative Olympich Torch.
On the day of my arrival, July 11th, I've been handing the Olympic Torch to Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris. Together we've been advocating for the introduction of a deposit system for plastic bottles and cans.
I am not accusing the material, but the way we put it to use. Plastic is a catalyst to our throw-away society.
Will you support us?
Help out in our mission!
- Support our work with a small donation
- Join our current campaign
- Invite the Plastic Soup Surfer for a lecture or advice
- Join our team as a volunteer: send us an email
The Plastic Paradox is the contradiction between the responsibility demanded by the use of plastic and the fact that we apply this material as disposable and to facilitate short-term convenience and TO-GO impulses.