Floating Park in Rotterdam Is Made Entirely of Recycled Plastic Harvested From River

Recycled Park - Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, a floating park in the Maas River is showing just what can be created from plastic waste. Thanks to the Recycled Island Foundation, plastic collected from the river and port has been transformed into 1,500 square feet of floating habitat that will give back to the ecosystem.

The foundation developed floating litter traps that ensnared the river trash over the course of 1.5 years, which was then sorted and recycled. The recycled plastic was molded into 28 hexagonal blocks that link together to form the Recycled Park. Each hexagon is filled with earth, allowing vegetation to grow. Birds, fish, and microorganisms also benefit from a new food source, as well as new breeding ground and shelter.

“When we retrieve the plastics directly in our cities and ports we actively prevent the further growth of the plastic soup in our seas and oceans,” shares Ramon Knoester, creator of the Foundation. “The realization of the building blocks in recycled plastics is an important step towards a litter free river.”

The opening of Recycled Park is a triumph for the young organization, which spent the last 5 years designing, researching, fundraising, and involving stakeholders in the project. Now, they are continuing on their quest to rid waters of plastic and searching for new locations to expand their concept.

The Recycled Island Foundation spent 1.5 years developing floating litter traps to harvest debris from Rotterdam's river.

Floating Trash Collector

Litter Collection from Rivers

The recycled plastic was then used to create a floating park that will give back to the river's ecosystem.

Recycled Park - Floating Garden - Rotterdam

Recycled Park - Rotterdam

Recycled Park - Rotterdam

Recycled Park - Floating Garden - Rotterdam

Learn more about how the Recycled Island Foundation brought their innovative concept to life.

Recycled Island Foundation: Website | Facebook
h/t: [designboom]

All images via Recycled Island Foundation.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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