RiverRecycle cleans vast amounts of plastic waste from worldwide waterways

The company has developed a novel method for collecting plastic waste from rivers. It uses floating barriers and other equipment that direct debris to collection points without disrupting marine life or river traffic. The collected plastic waste is either converted into valuable materials, such as plastic boards for construction and other industries, or disposed of properly.

Founded in 2019, RiverRecycle has rapidly expanded its waste collection capabilities this year. The total amount of waste it has collected doubled from two million to four million kilos in under six months. In May 2024, the company also opened mechanical recycling facilities with an annual capacity of 1 000 tonnes and launched land-based plastic collection in Ghana and the Philippines.

Anssi Mikola, CEO of RiverRecycle, views this growth as a sign of the urgent need for such initiatives. “Our scalable model is successfully turning the tide against plastic pollution,” Mikola said. “As we grow, we’re not just stopping waste from reaching the oceans but transforming it into something valuable.”

Global operations

RiverRecycle operates in regions heavily affected by waste. Currently, the company has 11 operational sites and 26 ongoing projects in India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Ghana. Each project commences with a commercial feasibility study and the initiatives are tailored to meet the needs of local communities.

RiverRecycle has also attracted notable supporters, such as the Coca-Cola Foundation and Danish menswear brand JACK & JONES. The latter helped fund RiverRecycle’s project to clean the Kumar in Bangladesh and improve drainage in the area.