A Dutch organization is transforming piles of trash into a gorgeous way of fighting river pollution.
The Recycled Island Foundation has been collecting litter from the Maas River in Rotterdam and recycling it into floating islands that benefit people and the aquatic ecosystem on which they drift.
For a year and a half, the organization used litter traps placed at strategic points along the river to collect trash from the water.
The Dutch group then sorted and recycled the materials into hexagonal platforms that are designed to float on the river’s surface.
By filling the platforms with greenery and native plant species, the platforms can benefit larger land critters and offer up shelter and breeding grounds for microorganisms and fish.
After 5 years of research, development, and work, the foundation’s first recycled park just opened up in Rotterdam on July 4th. The innovative public space is 1,500 square feet of habitat made from 28 hexagonal platforms.
The organization is now looking for new locations to continue their mission and build more parks.
Source : GNN