Tisza river: ‘Plastic Cup’ Competitions Are Cleaning Up Rivers in Hungary

DALIA partners after the project meeting

The DALIA Project recently convened a partner meeting in Bodrogkeresztúr, Hungary following a landmark environmental action: between 10 and 14 September, partners and volunteers took part in thePlastic Cup Race, cleaning the floodplain and river sections between Szegi and Bodrogkeresztúr. This traditional, multiple days community cleanup effort by Plastic Cup Society took place on the Bodrog River for the sixth consecutive year. The joint effort yielded 7.7 tonnes of waste retrieved from the floodplain forest and riverbanks, including plastic, metals, glass and municipal mixed waste. This huge amount was collected in the competition between six teams, all together with the volunteers around 160 persons spending 3,5 days on water, noteworthy not every time in favorable weather conditions, as heavy raining hit the region those days.

PETii, the “Mothership” of Plastic Cup returning with the collected waste of the day

Volunteers shorting the waste into different categories 

Plastic Cup Society organized this waste-collection contest; at which the volunteers and participants, the “Plastic Pirates” constructed their boats from recyclable materials and rowed down the river by them and in canoes, while a mothership with supplies provided coordination as well as support to the volunteers. DALIA Project partners hailed the wonderful planning of Plastic Cup that managed to engage 160 enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers of all ages to join the clean up. 

Volunteers competing to gather the most waste during the race

Upon arrival in Olaszliszka, the participants were invited to attend the inauguration of the second Riversaver Centre (FMK) of Plastic Cup  which also includes  the  Riverside Eco-tourism House. This is a milestone that signified the completion of a three-year project, and provided the Riversavers with a permanent base on the Bodrog River. In collaboration with the local authorities and non-governmental organizations, the centre will increase the effectiveness of the cleanup operations and it will also be the venue of environmental education and school programs as well as professional events.

VIDEO HERE

Following the clean up, on 15th and 16th September, the DALIA project meeting was held in order to evaluate the progress and plan further actions. Participants also visited the River Saver Centre, boarded the PETii mothership for a quick tour on the river, participated in mini workshops and demonstration of plastic valorization, toured key local landmarks and gathered for a wine tasting evening, sampling local wines and discovering the region’s cultural heritage. The Plastic Cup Society premiered also here the Riversaver platform which act as they key knowledge sharing tool for stakeholders wishing to act for clean rivers, we would like to encourage you to check it under: https://riversaver.eu/en 

The effective outreach can be correlated with the general mission of Plastic Cup that is turning river clean-ups into a community initiative. Just in this year, the total wastage collected on four multiple days cleanup competition exceeds 29 tonnes, hence highlighting the effectiveness of involving citizens towards appropriating environmental care.

DALIA Project is eager to continue working closely with Plastic Cup and other stakeholders in the Danube River basin, aiming to multiply impact, raise awareness and generate lasting change.