LITTER RESEARCH

Not only you tidy up your outdoor surroundings during a cleanup, but you can also record the waste you picked up by using the Litterati-app on your phone. More than 12 million trash items worldwide have already been registered and tracked this way!

The information this tracking provides makes it possible to tackle the litter’s problem at its source so that better packaging can be developed, or deposits can be introduced on everyday waste items such as cans and bottles. That is precisely why the Plastic Soup Foundation coordinates World Cleanup Day in the Netherlands.

WHY IS LITTER RESEARCH IMPORTANT?

Worldwide, at least 80% of the plastic soup in the oceans originates from land, entering the sea through rivers. Which kind of packaging is most common in the environment? Who are the producers of these items?

Much is already known about this. To be able to work on solutions that are more focused on the Netherlands, we need your help! By better mapping out litter, we can identify and confront the sources of the problem more efficiently.

HOW IT WORKS

Follow these steps to download, install, and use the Litterati app and contribute to the world’s largest citizen-science research project!

You have two options: you can participate in the challenge “World Cleanup Day The Netherlands” or you can create your own challenge. Below we explain step by step how to do that:

Option 1
Join World Cleanup Day The Netherlands

If you’re new to the Litterati app:

Download the Litterati app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android)
Click on Get Started > Join a Cleanup > Next > Start.
Go to Challenges > Join > Join a challenge with a code and fill in the
code NL2021.
You can complete your account by linking your e-mail address,
Apple ID or Facebook account

Do you already have an account in Litterati?

Log in to your account
Go to Challenges > Join > Join a challenge with a code and fill in the
code NL2021.
Enter the code “NL2021” and sign up!

Download the Litterati Factsheet

Download

Option 2
Start your own challenge!

Download the Litterati app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android)
Log in on your Litterati account OR start without an account (Click on
I’m New > Continue without a code > Claim your account).
Go to Challenges > Join > Create.
Click on Connect to a Featured Challenge. Search for World Cleanup
Day The Netherlands, and connect.
Customize your challenge!

LET’S GET STARTED

As you go about collecting litter, you’ll use your camera to take pictures.
Try to take a clear, well-lit photo of each item.
Important! Label your litter consistently with object (can), material (aluminum) and brand (CocaCola). You can also upload and add labels from home while on WiFi
After your cleanup action, upload all your photos as soon as possible.

Watch the video about how to capture the found litter in the app here.

RESULTS 2021

World Cleanup Day 2021 was a great success! In the Netherlands, the record number of 41,342 officially registered participants, divided into 1574 different actions, set out to clean up litter. More than 90,000 items were registered with the Litterati app! Below you will find an overview of what we found. More than 20 million people worldwide participated in 180 countries.