A test ride in the area. Private photo Plastic pollution is a huge problem. However, there are also plenty of hopeful initiatives in the field of recycling. To make this clear, student Robin Aanstoot will cycle along the entire West-European coastline in the next six months.
Actually, Aanstoot is no longer a student, as he completed his masters in Forest and Nature Conservation in June. So, time to take off. The trip will start in Norway, and lead all the way to Portugal, where he expects to arrive somewhere at the beginning of next year. Aanstoot plans to gather a bag full of plastic waste every day along his route. Moreover, he intends to highlight one business in every country that recycles plastic. ‘There is a lot of focus on the plastic issue, and this is entirely justified. But I also want to show some part of all the good initiatives being taken in the area of recycling.’
The preparations for this 10,000-kilometre cycling trip are almost completed. In addition to mapping the route and optimising the bike, there was also the issue of creating a special bike cart that would fit a surfboard. After all, for a surfing aficionado travelling for kilometres on end along the coast without surfing is not an option. ‘This may well be the tensest part of the trip: will the cart stay in one piece? I tested it during some shorter trips, but I have never taken it on a long ride. On the other hand, I have gotten to know every nut and bolt on my bike and the cart over the past period.’
Involved in the sea
How does such an idea come up? ‘I have always surfed; this automatically makes you involved in anything happening with the sea. Moreover, I worked on sustainability during my studies and followed a masters of Sustainable Business and Innovation in Utrecht. Everything sort of came together in this idea.’
The departure for Norway is planned for mid-July. With a bit of luck, Aanstoot should arrive back in the Netherlands in October. ‘Normally, a distance of 120 kilometres a day is a good goal, but as I will be collecting plastic along the way, as well as towing the cart, so 70 kilometres a day is more realistic. I will definitely pass by Wageningen when I come through the Netherlands, as one of my interviews on plastic is on the campus.’
By that time, Resource will publish an update on the plastic trip. If you want to follow Aanstoot’s travels, check his Facebook page or Instagram.
