The Recycled Island Foundation gathered debris from Rotterdam's Maas River and port to create a floating park for the public to visit. The main concept of the new site is to highlight the importance of recycling plastic. The floating park sits at 140 square meters and is comprised of hexagon blocks made completely from recycled plastic waste. This project is beneficial for the river's ecosystem, as it serves as a habitat for both micro and macrofauna such as snails, fish, beetles and flatworms.
In order to gather all the waste from Maas River, the Recycled Island Foundation prototyped three passive litter traps that all went through testing and trials for a year and a half. The litter traps catch plastic debris using the streamline of the river. The new park has been developed in partnership with the Rotterdam Municipality and has also implemented floating green structures to initiate thoughts for ecology in the city's harbor. It gives a place for vegetation to grow, which allows organisms to find food and shelter.
Eco-Friendly Floating Parks
Rotterdam's Recycled Island Foundation is Made from Maas River's Waste
Trend Themes
1. Recycled Plastic Parks - Creating floating parks made entirely from recycled plastic waste to promote eco-friendliness and recycling.
2. Passive Litter Traps - Developing and implementing passive litter traps to collect waste from rivers and other bodies of water.
3. Floating Green Structures - Experimenting with floating green structures to promote ecology and provide habitats for organisms in harbors or other bodies of water.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Services - Offering services and solutions for sustainable waste management and creating eco-friendly public spaces.
2. Construction and Architecture - Incorporating recycled plastic materials and designing structures that integrate with and promote environmental sustainability.
3. Water Management - Developing technologies and techniques for collecting and managing waste from rivers and other bodies of water.