Sport and litter collection for a clean, circular Leuven
Leuven River Upcycling combines kayaking and litter collection. Simon and Leander explain how the project gives them experience while helping to clean the city's waterways.
Article by Pieter Nuyts, volunteer at Leuven 2030.
Leuven River Upcycling lets you kayak on Leuven's canal free of charge in exchange for collecting litter from the water. That waste is reused to make new products. The project brings together many partners, including Leuven 2030, Honk and Arktos. The latter two organisations play an important role in the lives of vulnerable young people. The project shows how much can be achieved together, sometimes with unexpected partners. It also fits Programme 12 of Leuven 2030's Roadmap: involving everyone is essential to a successful climate transition.
We all want a clean, pleasant city where residents enjoy living and visitors enjoy spending time. A city without litter in its streets, waterways or natural spaces. A city that cares for its people and its surroundings. Everyone can contribute, not only by sorting their own waste,
but also through projects whose impact goes beyond their individual footprint. Simon, 23, and Leander, 17, know this too.
A second home
Leander currently attends school half-time and spends the rest of his time at Arktos vzw. The organisation supports young people in vulnerable situations and people with disabilities who find it harder to connect with school, work or society. Leander says the group includes young people from many backgrounds, including people with disabilities and other difficulties. ‘There are children who have fallen behind at school too. They get support here to catch up.’
‘You can do woodworking, cooking, welding and more here. We sometimes volunteer, and we shop together for cooking, wood or metal. We do it all together.’ Leander explains that the young people support each other and benefit from the guidance. It is less strict than school, but the team does help keep them on track. ‘If you do something wrong, they tell you.’
Simon is part of Honk vzw with twelve other young people with disabilities. ‘Honk is really just a home,’ he explains. ‘A home for thirteen young people, and our dream is to live together.’ There is no actual house yet, but it is being built. By joining together, the young people already care for each other and become more independent. Sharing their budgets helps them achieve more.
Simon during HONKantine.
Benefits all round
Simon and Leander are thinking about more than their own futures. ‘Our planet is warming, and I think it's time to do something about it,’ says Simon. When he heard about Leuven River Upcycling in maakleerplek's canteen, he was keen to help.
The idea is simple: anyone can take a kayak onto Leuven's canal free of charge. In exchange, you collect as much litter as possible along the way. It is brought to maakleerplek's old silos at the Vaartkom, where it is recycled into sports equipment.
When people come to borrow a kayak, Simon gives them everything they need: a plastic container to keep valuables dry, paddles, life jackets, a rubbish bag and a litter picker. Leander explains how it works. ‘We tell people what Leuven River Upcycling stands for and what happens to the waste. We also explain things like how to put on a life jacket.’
Simon and Leander enjoy the work. ‘It's one of my dreams coming true,’ says Simon. ‘You gain experience too,’ adds Leander. ‘You learn how to deal with people and explain things, and that you don't have to feel shy about talking to others.’ They also learn to handle unexpected problems, such as visitors who do not turn up or do not speak Dutch.
It is a learning experience for the kayakers too. ‘They are surprised by how much they can pull out of the canal,’ says Leander. ‘Most people don't notice it because it is often along the edges or between boats.’
No one is too small to make a difference
Leuven River Upcycling lets you exercise or build team spirit while contributing to cleaner water and reusing waste. Simon and Leander's story also shows that no individual is too small to make a difference. The project grew from a collaboration between very different organisations that met at an inspiring place like maakleerplek, where people with plans and ideas come together.
Would you like to kayak along the canal or the Dijle while helping the environment? You can do so every Wednesday and Friday. Book online through JCI Leuven's website, then come to maakleerplek at Stapelhuisstraat 13–15 in Leuven, between the silos and the Balk van Beel, for equipment and instructions. For more information, email info@leuvenriverupcycling.be.
© Images by Serge Bierset.