Environmental activist Merijn Tinga, widely known as the “Plastic Soup Surfer,” has embarked on a new journey along the Mediterranean coast, combining adventure with advocacy…
After crossing France last year, he has now set out from Nice on a 700-kilometre route to Rome, travelling on a windsurfing board made entirely from recycled plastic waste. made a stop in Monaco this week, arriving at the Yacht Club before meeting HSH Prince Albert II.
His mission is clear: to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote practical solutions, particularly the introduction of deposit return systems. Drawing on the example of the Netherlands, he points to an 80 percent reduction in discarded bottles and cans within six months of implementing such measures.
Supported by environmental organisations including those working across the Mediterranean, his initiative also highlights the often invisible nature of pollution. While visible waste is alarming, experts stress that the majority exists as microplastics and nanoplastics, present in the air, soil and oceans.
Continuing his journey, Tinga will pass through multiple coastal cities, including Livorno and the island of Elba, before reaching Rome and the Vatican. There, he is expected to be received by the Pope on May 22, carrying his message of environmental responsibility to a global audience.