Bubble Barrier Stops River Plastic From Reaching the Sea

The Great Bubble Barrier, a Dutch company, is deploying curtains of air bubbles in rivers to intercept plastic waste before it flows into the ocean. They install perforated tubes across riverbeds, connected to air pumps, which create a bubble curtain that guides plastic debris to a collection point. Validated by research institutes, the system captures around 86% of surface plastic and currently operates in the Netherlands and Portugal.

The company aims to expand internationally, particularly to Southeast Asia, but stresses that successful implementation requires collaboration with governments, waste managers, and local communities to ensure proper waste collection and address the source of pollution. Recognition as an Earthshot Prize finalist has increased the company’s visibility and facilitated its global reach.

The Great Bubble Barrier hopes to install barriers in major cities worldwide, not only to collect plastic but also to gather data that can inform policies aimed at preventing plastic pollution at its origin.