Antwer (Brussels Morning) – Thomas De Groote emphasizes that cleaning up waste is not a long-term solution and instead addressing the root cause of single-use plastics is crucial.
Tom Waes is really good at cleaning up trash and cares a lot about the environment. He’s been passionate about this for a long time. He’s shocked by how much waste like car tires and plastic ends up near the Antwerp cathedral. He wants to raise awareness about this issue and help people understand the problem of single-use plastic.
Addressing the Root Cause of Plastic Pollution: Is Recycling Enough?
Thomas De Groote emphasizes that simply cleaning up waste is not a long-term solution to the plastic pollution problem. He highlights the importance of addressing the root cause. The excessive use of single-use plastics. He uses the example of a coffee cup that is discarded after just three sips illustrating how this mindless consumption contributes to the staggering amounts of plastic waste. By raising awareness about the issue De Groote aims to inspire people to rethink their daily habits and consider the environmental impact of their actions.
Thomas De Groote emphasizes that recycling is not always straightforward. Some waste is incinerated or sent to other countries where processing standards may be lower than in Belgium. For instance, Belgium sends a significant portion of its plastic waste to Turkey which is not recycled. However, there are solutions to improve recycling rates and quality. Implementing deposit systems like those used in Belgium can encourage people to return used containers ensuring they are properly recycled. This approach not only reduces waste but also supports local economies by creating jobs and reducing environmental impact from transportation
Tom Was Leads Environmental Cleanup Efforts in Antwerp
 Tom Waes suggests that a simple way to help the environment is to stop buying bottled water and use a reusable cup instead. He also started using biodegradable laundry pads. He believes the government should ban unnecessary plastic packaging. He mentions that even in Rwanda where plastic bags were banned people found alternatives showing that changing habits is possible.
Tom Waes shared an interesting experience from Rwanda where they banned plastic bags. It caused a big change in the country but everyone adapted and found new ways. This shows that societies can shift their mindset towards more sustainable practices. It highlights the importance of embracing change and finding solutions for a better environment.
The River Cleanup team found plastic balls in the reeds but they warned not to touch them as they may contain toxins. These plastic balls are spilled during transport and come from the industry Dina Losifidis from Axa Insurance mentioned their commitment to charity worldwide including cleaning up waste in different locations
