Paris-Nice expedition 2025

Allez Allez La France, instaurez la consigne! - Come on France, introduce deposit money!

Sup and surf expedition 2025

From May 10 to June 8 and a finish on World Ocean Day, with a presentation at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice!

Expédition Paris–Nice : à contre-courant pour la consigne en France

Le 10 mai 2025, le Plastic Soup Surfer, Merijn Tinga, entamera un périple de 1.250 kilomètres de Paris à Nice, en paddle et planche à voile. Son objectif : convaincre la France d’adopter un système de consigne sur les canettes et bouteilles en plastique. Cette étape fait partie de la grande expédition Oslo–Rome, au cours de laquelle le Plastic Soup Surfer a déjà mené des campagnes à travers Londres et Paris.

En France, il manque non seulement de volonté politique, mais aussi de données fiables sur les déchets sauvages. C’est pourquoi nous lançons en parallèle le projet de science citoyenne ReTour de France : tout le monde peut participer simplement en prenant des photos de déchets rencontrés en chemin. Notre intelligence artificielle analyse la marque, le type et le matériau, puis transforme les données en cartes de chaleur et graphiques — utiles pour sensibiliser les médias et les élus locaux.

Les résultats seront présentés lors de conférences à Marseille et Nice, en plaidoyer fort pour une consigne nationale, tant pour le recyclage que pour la réutilisation.

Participez !
Prenez part au ReTour de France — tout est disponible sur notre pdf
Partagez le projet avec vos contacts en France
Soutenez la campagne avec un don — nous travaillons avec une petite équipe mais une grande énergie

Ensemble, faisons de la consigne une norme européenne.
À contre-courant – mais jamais seul.

Récapitulatif de l'expédition en 60 secondes

1,250 km upstream – for a deposit system in France

From May 10 to June 8, 2025, I will travel solo by river, canal and sea from Paris to Nice. Paddleboarding, windsurfing, and sometimes on foot, I will cover 1,250 kilometers to call for a deposit return system (DRS) for cans and plastic bottles to be introduced in France.

This stage is part of a broader expedition from Oslo to Rome: a four-year campaign to get Europe moving towards structural solutions to plastic pollution. As Plastic Soup Surfer, we’ve already taken action in London and Paris. Last year, we were welcomed in Paris by Mayor Anne Hidalgo and organized a conference at the Académie du Climat.

Route & Encounters Along the Way

The Paris–Nice route runs through the heart of France:

Along the Seine, heading south
Through the Canal de Bourgogne to the Saône
Across the dramatic Rhône Valley
Finally, over the Mediterranean Sea to Nice

Along the way, I’ll meet with mayors, young people, litter-pickers and policymakers.

With the Paris–Nice expedition, I’m bringing a new angle to the debate on DRS in France: not only as a recycling system, but above all as an effective solution to plastic pollution.

In France, the topic has been politically sensitive for years. Progress has stalled. But one argument is hard to ignore: the impact on litter.

Deposit return is a proven solution: in the Netherlands, it led to more than 80% less litter from drink packaging within six months. Still, in France the debate remains stuck. By showing what’s actually on the streets – and how easy the solution is – we want to help turn the tide.

ReTour de France – Join in!

Alongside the expedition, we’re launching the citizen science project ReTour de France. Anyone in France can take part by simply taking photos of litter along the way. Our AI analyzes the brand, material, and packaging type. This will be the first large-scale mapping of litter in France – crucial for awareness and informed policy.

➡️ On the ReTour de France page, you'll find how to participate and full instructions.
➡️ Know any organizations in France? Invite them to walk a route too!

The results will be shared with local governments and presented at conferences in Marseille and Nice, in collaboration with Reloop. The AI model was developed by Dirk ‘Zwerfinator’ Groot, who also helps analyze the data.

Support the Campaign – Make the Documentary Possible

This campaign is powered by a small but dedicated team, and we need your help.

Your donation helps make the documentary about this expedition possible — a film that captures the journey, the people we meet, and the impact we create together.

🎥 The documentary will be shown at festivals, in education and online — as inspiration and a call to action.
➡️ Donate now and help grow the movement!

Follow the Expedition Live

Follow us in real-time through social media, video updates, podcasts, and photos.
📍 Track the route, the meetings, and the stories from the river.
📢 Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Upstream. For change. But never alone. Join us – walk, donate, share.