Pulling Our Weight 2022

Through this we aim to raise awareness of the problem of litter by involving the local community. Together we clear plastic waste that has entered the environment, but is also an important way to learn how recycling plastic plays a key role in the circular economy. By involving Dow employees and their families we want to inspire year-long action leading to more sustainable lives.

In cooperation with the municipality of Terneuzen and our partner Natuur&Zo our objective was to remove litter from the town center after the local fair. Armed with litter pickers, gloves and trash bags over 90 people went out to clean the  local streets and parks. Anton van Beek (President Dow Western Europe) welcomed the success of the event. "Even though the weather was bad, with the help of our partners and many of our colleagues, we still managed to collect more than 80 kg of litter. Only by working together we can we ensure that more is recycled, which is good for our environment." 

Kepa Diaz de Mendibil (Site Leader Dow Terneuzen) also joined the cleanup event and reflects on an inspiring morning. "Everyone works enthusiastically towards the same goal. It's nice when, even if only with a small group of people, we trigger them to think about this issue so that they will also take action themselves." Event leader and organizer Elsbeth Du Puy (Global MPC &AIR Specialist) fully agrees. "Leading by example and positively influencing your environment is important during events like this."

Initiatives were held in September and throughout the year over the whole Benelux. From Vlissingen to Delfzijl there were clean-up events, in Brussels litter was fished out local waterways from canoes, and back in Terneuzen waste was removed from the local bus station. 
 
With our waste cleanup campaigns and educational events globally, we raise awareness with employees, communities, customers and key stakeholders around responsible waste management to address plastic pollution.