TOO GOOD TO WASTE — PORT OF ROTTERDAM WASTE MANAGEMENT

Ninety percent of all goods worldwide are transported by sea. Shipping is the essential part of global economy and the harbors are working hard. Like the port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest logistics and industrial hub. Global population growth will drive up traffic on the world’s seaways by a factor of four by the year 2050. If we are not careful then the pollution will increase too. Without action, our oceans are becoming a plastic soup.

Corals are dying and too much oil is ending up in the sea, sometimes as a result of illegal discharges. Ignorance and negligence are severely disrupting the delicate balance of nature. But the damage is being addressed; laws and guidelines are constantly being adopted, sailors, ship owners, ports and waste reception facilities – all the parties involved are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility.

The port of Rotterdam is no exception. Here, the challenges to receive and handle ships as efficiently as possible to continuously improve the ways the wastes are collected and processed. Much of the efforts go to developing new recycling methods, for waste does not belong to the sea. The port of Rotterdam authority is committed to the clean sea – a policy that is bearing fruit.