About us

Creating Lasting Change Through Collective Action

We empower children, schools, and communities to take meaningful action for a plastic-free land and sea through hands-on, hopeful education.

At Plastic Whale Foundation, we believe real change starts with people. By turning learning into experience, we help children discover the impact of plastic pollution for themselves. They don’t just learn what’s wrong — they understand why their actions matter. That belief stays with them long after the activity ends, creating lasting impact for today and tomorrow.

Collective action

We believe change grows when people act together. By working with children, schools and communities, we make environmental action accessible, social and shared.
Learning by doing

We learn best when we experience it ourselves. That’s why hands-on education is at the heart of everything we do – turning awareness into action.
Realistic optimism

By keeping action playful + positive, we make it easier to get involved and stay engaged.
Impact with intention

We focus on what moves the needle. From individual actions to wider change, we measure our impact and learn from what works.

The problem

Plastic Pollution in Amsterdam’s Canals

Amsterdam’s iconic canals are increasingly polluted by plastic waste, threatening both the city’s ecosystem and its cultural identity.

Most of this plastic comes from everyday urban life, including single-use packaging, bottles, cigarette butts, and takeaway containers that are dropped on streets and washed into canals by rain and wind. Tourism, events, and busy nightlife areas further accelerate the problem, especially in the city center. Inefficient waste disposal, overflowing bins, and lightweight plastics allow trash to easily escape collection systems and enter the water. Once in the canals, plastic harms birds and aquatic life and breaks down into microplastics that persist in the environment and food chain.

Despite strong waste management efforts, plastic pollution remains a systemic issue driven by consumption habits and reliance on single-use materials.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

A simple idea that grew into a global movement

Plastic Whale began with Marius Smit and one deeply held belief: stop talking, start doing.

Driven by the idea that positive action can change how people see the world, Marius set out to do something simple – and bold. He built a boat from plastic collected from Amsterdam’s canals. What started as an experiment quickly became proof that action can be creative, hopeful and contagious.
This spirit of DOISM – learning by doing and believing in the power of collective action – sparked a movement that continues to inspire thousands of people, young and old, to see plastic not as someone else’s problem, but as a resource and a starting point for change.

Everything we build today stands on that foundation.

The Team

Meet the people driving our mission forward

The Plastic Whale Foundation is guided by an independent board and a small core team. Together, we turn education into action - because every action matters.

Director

Janina Nieper

With a background in architecture, storytelling and circular thinking, Janina brings structure and imagination together - expanding impact while staying true to the foundation’s playful, optimistic roots.

Advisor

Perre van den Brink

Perre combines entrepreneurship with storytelling, media and communication expertise. He helps amplify the foundation's message - making sure impact is seen, felt and shared.

Secretary

Cornélie den Outer

Cornélie is a lawyer with a sharp legal mind and a strong sense of responsibility. She safeguards good governance and decision-making, while embodying the mission — proving that action starts close to home.

Chair

Eva de Lozanne

Guides the foundation through change with clarity, care and a deep belief in people-powered impact. Eva brings calm and human leadership to complex transitions.

Treasurer

Jorn Eiting van Liempt

As an entrepreneur, Jorn combines strategic thinking with a strong sense of presence and responsibility. Jorn helps ensure the foundation remains resilient and impact-driven for the long term.

Our community of skippers

Plastic Whale would not be what it is without our dedicated community of skippers. They guide children, students and participants on the water and land - sharing knowledge, stories and enthusiasm. Each skipper brings their own energy, humour and love for nature. And all of them believe that learning should be hands-on and fun.

Our skippers work with us as independent professionals united by a shared passion for education and action. Together, they make every experience on the water and land meaningful and save.

With thanks

Plastic Whale is built on the dedication of many people over the years.

We are deeply grateful to former directors, board members, team members and collaborators whose commitment, care and energy helped shape the foundation we are today. Lasting change isn’t created alone, and we are genuinely grateful for all those who came before us.

With heartfelt thanks to:
Marius Smit, Sarah de Beurs, Ynzo Bram Hora van Zanten, Elisabeth Post, Trix Derriks, and many others whose care and commitment continue to ripple through our work today.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Collaboration Makes Us Stronger

Our work is made possible through strategic partnerships with organizations that share our vision and values. Together, we’re creating impact that none of us could achieve alone.

We believe transparency is essential, and that our impact is measured not only in numbers, but in what those numbers represent—children learning by doing, communities taking action, and cleaner land and waterways as a result.

Explore our impact reports, financial statements, and publications to learn more about how we work and how your support makes a real difference.

Collective impact

Plastic Whale is, and has always been, a collective effort.

We believe in people-made sustainability – where impact, awareness and optimism come together.

About us

Creating Lasting Change Through Collective Action

Our Mission

Together, we empower others to take action for a plastic-free land & sea.

Collective action

Learning by doing

Realistic optimism

Impact with intention