Love Tomorrow collaborates with River Cleanup, a global network organisation focused on reducing plastic pollution in rivers and waterways.
The cooperation started in 2019 at De Schorre, the site of Tomorrowland. The shared objective was to reduce plastic waste in and around the festival environment and to raise awareness among crew members and visitors about the impact of litter on local waterways and, ultimately, the ocean.
Focus and scope
The collaboration centres on behaviour and operational practices within the festival context, with a specific focus on crew areas and campsites. By improving waste handling on-site and encouraging responsible disposal, the initiative aims to limit plastic leakage into the surrounding natural environment.
Operational approach
The approach combines two elements:
- Engagement of volunteers to support cleanliness during and after the festival
- Optimisation of waste management processes, particularly in crew campsites
Crew members play a key role in setting standards on-site and supporting a shared sense of responsibility during the festival period.
In addition, an annual clean-up moment is organised after the festival. This activity supports the operational clean-up of the site and reinforces awareness of waste accumulation in natural areas.
Measured outcome
During World Cleanup Day 2020, the first joint clean-up activity took place in De Schorre and along the banks of the Rupel. A total of 150 kg of litter was collected.
The collected waste included common items such as straws, cans, bottles and cigarette butts, as well as larger objects such as fencing materials, fragments of festival flooring and a discarded bicycle. The findings highlighted how festival-related and everyday waste can accumulate in natural environments when not properly managed.
