Merijn Tinga ~ Plastic Soup Surfer’s Post

The change Ive seen in 7 years. Today it is exactly seven years ago that I crossed the North Sea on a surfboard made from plastic bottles. It was the kickstart to a petition for deposits on plastic bottles. It was the first campaign in which I no longer focussed on general awareness but wanted a concrete and political change. Deposits for small plastic bottles. Kitesurfing across the North Sea was an enormous challenge with many unforseen obstacles. (As you can see in the short documentary by director Eelke Dekker) But the real adventure started with the 60.000 signatures I collected and handed over to parliament. That's when politicians and companies started to notice a change was in the air. Not only did I present the signatures but I also surprised the parliament members with a resolution. That "plastic soup surfer' resolution was the political break-through that made the introduction of deposits possible in 2021. Ive met great people and had a great deal of help since then in our combined mission. This campaign - 7 years ago - is the true start of the Plastic Soup Surfer team. I now know: You can be part of positive change. And you can make a difference. see the spectacular short documentary (11min) https://lnkd.in/eSDbNyYc #kiteboarding #deposits #plastic #politics #campaign #recordattempt #extremesports #change #sustainablity #plastic #plasticsoup #plasticpollution #art