Creative problem solving: check out how littering can be reduced!

I love it when I see a creative idea when traveling. I’ve just spent a couple of weeks in Holland, where millions of cyclists can be seen around the place. The majority of school kids bike to school and many adults bike to work as well. It’s the main mode of transportation in the Netherlands. Everyone bikes!

One of the problems that occurs when children cycle to school is that they tend to drop litter. Here's a solution to the problem: a "blikvanger" or "can catcher". On routes used by a lot of children to get to school you find these litter bins for cyclists to throw their litter into without stopping. They love it, as it’s fun throwing things into it!

These “can catchers” can also be found in nature reserves, shopping malls, sports facilities, outdoor concerts etc.

Apart from being a fun and creative way to solve the litter problem, it also creates awareness of how much litter would otherwise end up on the side of the road and other areas.

Now, you see more and more of these “can catchers” around the place, it’s great! And what a creative way to solve this problem!