{{Short description|Dutch environmental activist}} thumb|Merijn Tinga on his sup tour 2021 campaigning for waste separation at schools
'''Merijn Tinga''' (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, 1972)<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=https://www.ateliertinga.nl/curriculum-vitae/|title=CV & Biografie – Drs. Merijn Tinga » Atelier Tinga|website=www.ateliertinga.nl}}</ref> is a Dutch environmental activist. As the ''Plastic Soup Surfer'' he campaigned for reducing plastic pollution and the plastic soup.<ref name="TedX">{{cite web |title=Merijn Tinga – Plastic Soup Surfer (TED Talk) |url=https://tedxutrecht.com/countdown/merijn-tinga-plastic-soup-surfer/ |website=tedxutrecht.com |publisher=TedX Utrecht |access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Bright Vibes 2017">{{cite web |title=The Plastic Soup Surfer is committed to getting a deposit on small plastic bottles |url=https://www.brightvibes.com/769/nl/de-plastic-soup-surfer-legt-zich-toe-op-de-invoer-van-statiegeld-op-kleine-plastic-flesjes |website=www.brightvibes.com |publisher=Brightvibes (2017) |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="NOS statiegeld 2021">{{cite web |title=Statiegeld op blikjes is overwinning voor Plastic Soup Surfer |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2367234-statiegeld-op-blikjes-is-overwinning-voor-plastic-soup-surfer |website=www.nos.nl |publisher=NOS (Dutch National Broadcast Association) February 3, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref>
Tinga used different campaign methods: kiteboarding and standup paddleboarding expeditions to raise awareness of the plastic soup problem, a motion for the Dutch House of Representatives that was adopted by the Dutch Government, judicial notices handed over by bailiffs to CEO's of companies whose products cause plastic pollution,<ref name="VroegeVogels">{{cite web |title=Deurwaarder Plastic Soep Surfer naar frisdrank producenten |url=https://www.bnnvara.nl/artikelen/deurwaarder-plastic-soep-surfer-naar-frisdrank-producenten-vroege-vogels |website=www.bnnvara.nl |publisher=Vroege Vogels BNNVARA (Dutch National Broadcast Station) November 28, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Omroep West Deurwaarder">{{cite web |title=Plastic Soup Surfer stuurt deurwaarder af op Heineken |url=https://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/3558665/plastic-soup-surfer-stuurt-deurwaarder-af-op-heineken |website=www.omroepwest.nl |publisher=Omroep West (Dutch regional news) December 7, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref> collecting photos of littered products and holding companies accountable for this, a lawsuit and covenants.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Plastic verpakkingen van Mars repen zorgen voor veel zwerfafval |url=https://www.bnnvara.nl/kassa/artikelen/plastic-verpakkingen-van-mars-repen-zorgen-voor-veel-zwerfafval |website=www.bnnvara.nl |publisher=Kassa - BNNVARA (Dutch National Broadcast Station) May 1, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WUR News">{{cite web |title=Plastic Soup Surfer visits Wageningen in fight against plastic waste |url=https://www.wur.nl/en/news-wur/show-home/Plastic-Soup-Surfer-visits-Wageningen-in-fight-against-plastic-waste.htm |website=www.wur.nl |publisher=Wageningen University & Research |access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref> In 2023 he surfed from Norway to Uk and in 2024 from UK to France to draw attention to the issue of marine littering and specifically plastic beverage containers. He was named one of the 50 most interesting athletes of the year 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Merijn Tinga |url=https://www.the50athletes.com/merijn-tinga/ |website=The Fifty Most Interesting Athletes |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en |date=14 September 2023}}</ref> Tinga was member of the "Statigeldalliantie". The campaign for deposits was successful: the Dutch government introduced deposits on cans and plastic bottles.
== Biography ==
=== Plastic Soup Surfer === Merijn Tinga studied biology, worked as a biology teacher and became a visual artist.<ref name="Sleutelstad Kunstenaar">{{cite web |last1=Van den Hout |first1=Eline (January 20, 2015) |title=Nieuwe handen 'Klimwand' Kunst Uitschot Team |url=https://sleutelstad.nl/2015/01/20/nieuwe-handen-klimwand-kunst-uitschot-team/ |website=sleutelstad.nl |publisher=Sleutelstad Radio TV Online (Dutch Regional news) |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref> Since 2014 he combined art and activism and campaigned against the plastic soup under the name of the ''Plastic Soup Surfer''. Tinga carried out several expeditions. In 2014, he kiteboarded 350 km along the Dutch and Belgian coast on a kiteboard made of plastic litter he had found on the beaches, to raise awareness of the plastic soup problem.<ref name="KABK">{{cite web |last1=Twemlow |first1=Alice (November 8, 2019) |title=Merijn Tinga: Surfing the Messy Soup of Plastic Pollution, Legislation, Art and Activism |url=https://www.kabk.nl/en/lectorates/design/merijn-tinga-surfing-the-messy-soup-of-plastic-pollution-legislation-art-and-activism |website=www.kabk.nl |publisher=Lectorate Design - Royal Academy of Art The Hague |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref> In the summer of 2015, he collected floating plastic as he sailed along the coast of Scandinavia. During this expedition, Tinga concluded that only cleaning up plastic litter will not solve this problem.<ref name="Trouw">{{cite web |last1=Bos |first1=Ilona (May 24, 2019) |title=Merijn Tinga wilde surfen tegen plastic, maar ontdekte: plastic opruimen helpt helemaal niet. Toch gaf hij niet op |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/merijn-tinga-wilde-surfen-tegen-plastic-maar-ontdekte-plastic-opruimen-helpt-helemaal-niet-toch-gaf-hij-niet-op~ba9eff5d/ |website=Trouw (Dutch newspaper) |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=Trouw - DPG Media B.V. |access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>
=== Campaign for the introduction of deposit fees for small plastic bottles === In the period 2016–2020, Tinga campaigned for the introduction of deposit fees on small plastic bottles in the Netherlands.<ref name="Bright Vibes 2017"/><ref name="Trouw Statiegeld">{{cite web |last1=Verlouw |first1=Charlot (February 29, 2018) |title=Surfen maakt statiegeld sexy: 'Het moet tot de verbeelding spreken' |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/surfen-maakt-statiegeld-sexy-het-moet-tot-de-verbeelding-spreken~b770c85b/ |website=www.trouw.nl |publisher=DPG Media - Trouw Newspaper (Dutch national newspaper) |access-date=July 30, 2021}}</ref> In 2016 he kitesurfed from Scheveningen, the Netherlands, across the North Sea to Lowestoft, England on a foilboard made of plastic littered bottles. With this trip, he drew attention to a petition for a deposit fee on small plastic bottles.<ref name="North Sea crossing">{{cite web |title=Merijn Tinga succesvol Noordzee overgestoken, niet in recordtijd |url=https://www.unity.nu/Artikelen/leiden/merijn-tinga-succesvol-noordzee-overgestoken,-niet-in-recordtijd |website=Unity NU - news site for region of Leiden, The Netherlands [www.unity.nu] (Dutch) |publisher=Unity.nu, regional news- and broadcast station |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214100/https://www.unity.nu/Artikelen/leiden/merijn-tinga-succesvol-noordzee-overgestoken,-niet-in-recordtijd |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NOS North Sea crossing">{{cite web |title=De Noordzee over op kitesurfboard van petflesjes |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2129514-de-noordzee-over-op-kitesurfboard-van-petflesjes |website=NOS.nl (Dutch News) |publisher=NOS, Dutch National Broadcast Association |access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> In 2017, Tinga presented a ''petition motion'' that called for 90% less plastic littered bottles within three years, together with 57.000 collected signatures, in the Dutch House of Representatives. The petition motion was adopted by the Dutch Government.<ref name="Interview PublicLeadershipFoundation">{{cite web |title=Plastic Soup Surfer |url=https://publicleadership.foundation/plastic-soup-surfer/ |website=Public Leadership Foundation (January 11, 2019) |access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="AD Petitie motie">{{cite web |title=Kabinet komt 'Plastic Soup Surfer' tegemoet |url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/kabinet-komt-plastic-soup-surfer-tegemoet~af5bbddb/ |website=www.ad.nl |publisher=DPG Media - AD (Dutch national newspaper) - February 16, 2017 |access-date=July 30, 2021}}</ref><ref name="SDU info statiegeld">{{cite web |last1=Wennekes |first1=Laura (March 12, 2018) |title=Statiegeld op plastic flesjes mogelijk in 2021 ingevoerd |url=https://www.gemeente.nu/ruimte-milieu/duurzaamheid/statiegeld-op-plastic-flesjes-mogelijk-2021-ingevoerd/ |website=Gemeente.nu |publisher=SDU |access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Staatscourant Recycling plastic flesjes">{{cite web |last1=Staatscourant (March 4, 2019) |title=Voorpublicatie tot wijziging van het Besluit beheer verpakkingen 2014 in verband met het opnemen van een recyclingdoelstelling voor kleine kunststof drankflessen en het aanpassen van de artikelen over statiegeld op drankverpakkingen (Besluit maatregelen kleine kunststof drankflessen) |url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2019-9730.html |website=Overheid.nl (Dutch Government) |publisher=Staatscourant, Dutch Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat |access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> A deposit fee on small plastic bottles has been introduced in the Netherlands as of July 2021.<ref name="RijksOv nieuws statiegeld flesjes">{{cite web |title=Statiegeld op kleine plastic flesjes voor minder zwerfafval |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/04/24/statiegeld-op-kleine-plastic-flesjes-voor-minder-zwerfafval |website=Rijksoverheid.nl |publisher=Dutch Government (newsitem September 24, 2020) |access-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215432/https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/04/24/statiegeld-op-kleine-plastic-flesjes-voor-minder-zwerfafval |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==== Bailiff and judicial notice ==== In 2017, Tinga developed a new strategy: using a bailiff with a judicial notice. This legal instrument is a 'declaration of awareness' by which companies are formally informed of the pollution, dangers and consequences of the litter as a result of their products or packaging. From the moment that a judicial notice is handed over to the CEO, a company is no longer able to claim to be unaware of these facts.<ref name="VroegeVogels"/><ref name="Trouw Statiegeld"/>
Tinga used this strategy after a 1200 km standup paddle tour down the Rhine, ''From Source to Sea'', on a standup paddleboard made of littered bottles.<ref name="PSF SourcetoSea">{{cite web |title=Plastic Soup Surfer supt 1200km langs de Rijn |url=https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/2017/05/plastic-soup-surfer-supt-1200km-rijn/ |website=www.plasticsoupfoundation.org |publisher=Plastic Soup Foundation (May 8, 2017) |access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Sleutelstad Source2Sea">{{cite web |last1=De Waard |first1=Chris (July 2, 2017) |title=Groots onthaal voor Plastic Soup Supper op Stadhuisplein |url=https://sleutelstad.nl/2017/07/02/groots-onthaal-plastic-soup-supper-op-stadhuisplein/ |website=sleutelstad.nl |publisher=Sleutelstad Radio TV Online (Dutch Regional news) |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="LeidenUniv doc Source to Sea">{{cite web |title=Documentary Plastic Soup Surfer on National Geographic |url=https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2018/06/documentary-plastic-soup-surfer-on-national-geographic |website=Universiteit Leiden |publisher=Leiden University |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref> This way he managed to meet with the CEO's of soft drink manufacturers and Dutch retail companies that tried to block the introduction of deposits on small plastic bottles.<ref name="Rijnmond CocaCola">{{cite web |title=Protest tegen zwerfplastic bij Rotterdams hoofdkantoor Coca Cola |url=https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/162183/Protest-tegen-zwerfplastic-bij-Rotterdams-hoofdkantoor-Coca-Cola |website=www.rijnmond.nl |publisher=Rijnmond (Dutch regional news) december 5, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Sleutelstad deurwaarder">{{cite web |title=Plastic Soup deurwaarders deze week naar Lidl, Pepsi Jumbo en Coca Cola |url=https://sleutelstad.nl/2017/12/04/plastic-soup-deurwaarders-week-naar-lidl-pepsi-jumbo-en-coca-cola/ |website=sleutelstad.nl |publisher=Sleutelstad Radio TV Online (Dutch Regional news) September 4, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref>
=== Campaigns against products causing plastic pollution === In 2018, Tinga and Dirk Groot (who, by the name of ''the Zwerfinator'', campaigns against litter<ref name="Trouw Groot">{{cite web |last1=Bijlo |first1=Esther |last2=Straver |first2=Frank (october 10, 2019) |title=Invloedrijke zwerfafvalraper Dirk Groot nummer 1 in Duurzame 100 |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/invloedrijke-zwerfafvalraper-dirk-groot-nummer-1-in-duurzame-100~b5934656/ |website=www.trouw.nl |publisher=Trouw (Dutch newspaper) - DPG Media B.V. |access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>), started collecting photos of plastic litter as evidence of the pollution and approaching the manufacturing and retail companies together with a bailiff and a judicial notice to ask them to come up with solutions.
In 2018, Groot and Tinga approached the CEO of Pervasco, the producer of Anta Flu throat lozenges, after collecting 16.000 photo's of littered Anta Flu wrappers. As a result, Pervasco switched to biodegradable paper wrappers in 2020.<ref name="AntaFlu">{{cite web |title=Zwerfinator samen met Plastic Soup Surfer |url=https://www.persbureau-ameland.nl/zwerfinator-samen-met-plastic-soup-surfer |website=Persbureau Ameland |publisher=Persbureau Ameland |access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="PSF nieuws AntaFlu">{{cite web |last1=Tukker |first1=Elles |title=AT NO. 6: ANTA FLU CANDY WRAPPERS |url=https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2020/08/on-no-6-anta-flu-candy-wrappers/ |website=plasticsoupfoundation.org |publisher=Plastic Soup Foundation |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
In 2019/2020, Tinga and Groot collected thousands of photo's of littered plastic shards of ''crackling balls'', light fireworks, and ''plastic splash water balloons''. Soon after preparing a lawsuit against the Dutch retailers of ''crackling balls'', most retailers stopped selling this product. By signing the ''Crackling Ball Covenant'', most Dutch retail companies pledged to stop the sale of all fireworks containing plastics.<ref name="NH nieuws Knetterbal">{{cite web |title='Operatie Knetterbal' geslaagd: populair kindervuurwerk bijna overal in de ban vanwege milieuschade |url=https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/261553/operatie-knetterbal-geslaagd-populair-kindervuurwerk-bijna-overal-in-de-ban-vanwege-milieuschade |website=www.nhnieuws.nl |publisher=NH Media (February 7, 2021) |access-date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> In 2020, Tinga and Groot convinced most retail companies to sign the ''Splash Plastic Covenant'' by which they pledged to stop selling plastic splash water balloons and plastic confetti.<ref name="Biojournaal Spatplastic">{{cite web |title=Einde 'Operatie Spatplastic' |url=https://www.biojournaal.nl/article/9253879/einde-operatie-spatplastic/ |website=www.biojournaal.nl |publisher=Biojournaal.nl (newsitem September 30, 2020) |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref><ref name="VroegeVogels Spatplastic">{{cite web |title=Operatie Spatplastic: een ban op de waterballon |url=https://www.bnnvara.nl/vroegevogels/artikelen/operatie-spatplastic-een-ban-op-de-waterballon |website=www.bnnvara.nl |publisher=Vroege Vogels - BNNVARA (Dutch National broadcast station) |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
=== The Plastic Avengers Manifest === In 2019, Tinga organised a conference for Dutch actors in the field of plastic. They drafted the ''Plastic Avengers Manifest'', a framework for a new way of dealing with plastic. Vice-president of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans, became the official ambassador of this Manifest.<ref name="Meerlanden">{{cite web |title=Eurocommissaris Frans Timmermans neemt Plastic Avengers Manifest in ontvangst |url=https://www.meerlanden.nl/algemeen-nieuws/eurocommissaris-frans-timmermans-neemt-plastic-avengers-manifest-ontvangst |website=www.meerlanden.nl |publisher=Meerlanden (Dutch waste & recycling company) |access-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215414/https://www.meerlanden.nl/algemeen-nieuws/eurocommissaris-frans-timmermans-neemt-plastic-avengers-manifest-ontvangst |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="KABK"/>
=== Campaigning for DRS in London === In July 2023 Merijn Tinga surfed on Thamse river in London in support of the UK initiative for legislation in regard to deposit return scheme for beverage containers. In this unusual track, Tinga using windsurfing board, bearing back discarded plastic bottles traced to their origin in Sweden.
He then spent five weeks to surf between Oslo and London, calling for the British government to establish a nationwide deposit return scheme. He also brought a petition with many signatures to environment minister Rebecca Pow encouraging the conservative politician to take action on the legislation for DRS in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=MERIJN TINGA - WINDSURFING FROM OSLO TO LONDON WITH ONE GOAL |url=https://www.severnesails.com/merijn-tinga-windsurfing-from-oslo-to-london-with-one-goal/ |website=Severne - Gear for the revolution |access-date=11 December 2024 |date=25 July 2023}}</ref>
As a result of his expedition and in addition to meeting ministers and politicians, Tinga even met representatives from Coca-Cola in Westminster and he was invited to follow-up DRS discussions in September 2023. The UK government later in 2024 announced that they will pursure a deposit return scheme for beverage containers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers: joint policy statement |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers-policy-statements/deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers-joint-policy-statement |website=GOV.UK |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
His surfing for the cause of plastic recycling promotion was significantly covered by the local media, including BBC night news <ref>{{cite web |title=Surfer makes waves on Thames over plastic recycling |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-66244710 |website=BBC |access-date=11 December 2024 |date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
=== Campaigning for DRS in France === In 2024, he did a 850 km expedition of surfing from London to Paris. he successfully surfed from London to Paris in three weeks to draw attention to the littering of plastic in the sea, a similar campaign to what he already performed for the UK. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Redaktion |first1=SURF |title=London to Paris: "Plastic Soup Surfer" Merijn Tinga looks back |url=https://www.surf-magazin.de/en/windsurfing/scene-and-events/850-km-from-london-to-paris-insights-into-the-expedition-of-plastic-soup-surfer-merijn-tinga/ |website=Europas größtes Windsurf-Magazin |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
== Bibliography == Merijn Tinga, ''Plastic Soup Surfer. Hoe één persoon verschil kan maken.'' Uitg. Hollandia 2021. {{ISBN|978-90-6410-725-2}}
== Filmography == Eelke Dekker: ''Message on a bottle'' (2016). About Tinga's North Sea crossing on a kite foil.<ref name="Dekker Message on a bottle">{{cite web |last1=Dekker |first1=Eelke |title=Message on a bottle |url=http://www.eelkedekker.nl/portfolio/message-on-a-bottle/ |website=www.eelkedekker.nl |publisher=Eelke Dekker (movie director) |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
Eelke Dekker: '' From Source to Sea'' (2018). About Tinga's SUP tour down the river Rhine. The film was broadcast by National Geographic.<ref name="dekker Source to Sea">{{cite web |last1=Dekker |first1=Eelke |title=From Source to Sea |url=http://www.eelkedekker.nl/portfolio/from-source-to-sea/ |website=www.eelkedekker.nl |publisher=Eelke Dekker (Video director) |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
Eelke Dekker: ''Plastic Paradox'' (2019). Documentary about the 2017 Rhine SUP tour and the Plastic Avengers Conference, broadcast by National Geographic.<ref name="NG Plastic Paradox">{{cite web |last1=Redactie (June 6, 2019) |title=Het Plastic Plan van: Merijn Tinga |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.nl/video/tv/het-plastic-plan-van-merijn-tinga |website=www.nationalgeographic.nl |publisher=National Geographic Society |access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
== See also== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9J-rRraAYg BBC coverage of the London expedition on youtube] * [https://www.the50athletes.com/merijn-tinga/ Introduction article for Tinga in the 50 most interesting athlete, 2023]
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.plasticsoupsurfer.org Fighting against plastic pollution and plastic soup]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tinga, Merijn}} <!--- Categories ---> Dutch environmentalists Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:People from Leeuwarden