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- Category: News
Ian Davies - Tisza Tidy Up - How a firefighter started to fight plastic pollution
In the second episode of Aquatic Plastic, we dive into the world of Ian Davies, a retired firefighter turned environmentalist, who swapped the River Thames for the Tisza River in Hungary. Together with his wife, Edina, Ian co-founded the Tisza Tidyup Initiative, a grassroots mission to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution with a whole lot of community spirit. Spoiler alert: this episode is packed with heart, humor, and a surprising amount of wooden boat-building.
Ian’s firefighting skills didn’t just stay on dry land—they help him and his team navigate risks during river cleanups. Ian and Edina mobilize locals and volunteers to rescue the Tisza’s riverbanks and forests from plastic pollution. Alongside their cleanup missions, they take their knowledge and experiences to schools, inspiring kids to become the next generation of eco-defenders.
And the cherry on top? They built a traditional wooden fishing boat (ladik) to mix heritage and environmentalism, showing that sustainability can float on tradition.
The special guest of the show is Adam Kovacs, a technical expert and someone who is dealing with pollution control on a daily basis at the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The conversation reflects the evolution of environmental priorities in the Danube River Basin, from addressing nutrient and organic pollution to tackling emerging threats like plastics and hazardous substances. Kovacs emphasizes how targeted interventions in specific areas responsible for the majority of emissions can significantly reduce pollution without restructuring the entire basin. The ICPDR’s international framework enables countries to collectively address shared challenges, fostering data sharing, policy alignment, and cooperative action.
This episode is a reminder that fighting pollution can be serious work—but with the right people and a splash of creativity, it can also be seriously fun.
Chapters
Chapter 1: From flames to flow: Introduction of the guest - Ian Davies (00:00:00 - 00:03:50)
The part when we know how a firefighter turned into an environmentalist and why it is good for a group of people if someone so experienced is the leader. “I find myself constantly making risk assessments as to whether what we are doing is safe.”
Chapter 2: From Fire Hoses to River Waves (00:03:50 - 00:10:45)
From childhood days on sunny Maltese beaches to exploring canals with his own kids, Ian’s life has always been full of watery adventures. Ian’s knack for problem-solving and love for water followed him right into his next adventure: cleaning rivers. Turns out, once a firefighter, always a firefighter—just with a twist.
Chapter 3: From Greenwich to the Tisza – A Tale of Two Rivers (00:10:45 - 00:17:09)
Edina tells the story of how she left Hungary to explore life in England and how she met Ian. They spent much time together and their own and shared experiences would later inspire their return to Hungary and commitment to preserving the Tisza.
Chapter 4: A River in Crisis – The Cyanide Disaster and Its Aftermath (00:17:09 - 00:20:47)
The 2000 cyanide spill on the Tisza, dubbed the second-worst environmental disaster after Chernobyl, left scars on the river’s ecosystem, fishing traditions, and tourism. In this episode we reflect a little bit on the resilience of the river and the people who worked tirelessly to mitigate the damage.
Chapter 5: The Power of Community – Volunteers and New Beginnings (00:20:47 - 00:31:30)
Moving back to Hungary, Ian and Edina were inspired by the community spirit that blossomed around their cleanup initiatives. Volunteers from all walks of life—parents, children, local leaders, and even the deputy mayor—joined forces to care for the river. For Ian, it was a way to find his place in the town, while for Edina, it reignited her childhood love for the river. Their shared mission created a vibrant network of friendships and partnerships, laying the foundation for ongoing efforts to protect the Tisza.
Chapter 7: Shifting Currents: Tackling Pollution in the Danube Basin (00:20:47 - 00:43:53)
Adam Kovacs, a technical expert at the ICPDR, discusses the changing environmental priorities in the Danube River Basin, shifting focus from nutrient and organic pollution to emerging threats like plastics and hazardous substances. He highlights the effectiveness of targeted interventions in key pollution hotspots to reduce emissions.
Chapter 8: A River's Rhythm (00:44:05 - 00:50:14)
In this chapter, we dive into the essence of the Tisza Tidy Up initiative. The cleanup efforts are carefully timed to the river’s unpredictable flow. Ian shares how they adapt to conditions, especially after floods. Ian and Edina explain how cleanups go beyond just picking up trash – they’re about creating a sense of community, bringing people together, and having fun while making a real difference.
Chapter 9: Education, Art, and the Environment (00:50:14 - 01:06:35)
Art and education play a central role in the initiative. From fish painting with schoolchildren to creating interactive plays, the focus is on teaching environmental responsibility in fun, engaging ways. Ian talks about the joy of inspiring kids through creativity, showing them how even small actions – like picking up a bottle – make a big difference in preserving the environment.
Timecode for youtube:
00:00:00 From flames to flow: Introduction of the guest - Ian Davies
00:03:50 From Fire Hoses to River Waves
00:10:45 From Greenwich to the Tisza – A Tale of Two Rivers
00:17:09 A River in Crisis – The Cyanide Disaster and Its Aftermath
00:20:47 The Power of Community – Volunteers and New Beginnings
00:31:30 Shifting Currents: Tackling Pollution in the Danube Basin
00:44:05 A River's Rhythm
00:50:14 Education, Art, and the Environment
- Category: News
Become a qualified River Cleanup Coordinator!
Apply for a unique opportunity and learn from experienced plastic pollution experts from all around the Danube River Basin
For years, dedicated volunteers from Plastic Cup Initiative have been working on developing an effective international river cleanup method in the Tisza river basin. Thanks to their efforts, a structured and certified approach to cleaning our rivers from plastic pollution is being established, and now invites you to become a part of the solution. Are you a student or an NGO worker passionate about river cleanup methodologies? Do you want to learn more about the formation and management of riverine litter accumulations? If you enjoy fieldwork, community engagement, and want to take your skills to the next level, apply now for the Community River Cleanup Coordinator Workshop!
Witness plastic pollution firsthand and learn effective cleanup methods from experienced "Riversavers."
The workshop is currently open for applications, offering a rare chance to become a qualified community river cleanup coordinator for free. This initiative, taking place within the Aquatic Plastic project, provides hands-on training, practical experience, and certification in river cleanup techniques.
Why is this a great opportunity?
- Certified Training – You will gain recognized certification as a qualified Community River Cleanup Coordinator, which can be a valuable asset for future environmental and sustainability projects.
- Real Impact – The training goes beyond theory, allowing you to actively participate in cleaning and preserving the Tisza River from plastic pollution.
- Community & Networking – Join a network of like-minded individuals and environmental professionals dedicated to protecting our waterways.
- Cost-Free Participation – Thanks to the program’s funding, you can gain this valuable certification without financial barriers (see application criteria below).
- A Sustainable Future – By becoming a certified river cleanup coordinator, you contribute to the long-term sustainability and health of our rivers and aquatic ecosystems.
Date and duration: Overlapping training for two groups (Group A - university students / Group B - NGO representatives) within the period of 12-19 May, 2025
- 5 consecutive days / 4 nights
- Group A: 12-16 May 2025
- Group B: 15-19 May 2025
Location: Kisköre, Riversaver Center, Hungary
Number of participants: 15 people / group, 2 groups
Riversavers motivate local communities, mobilize resources and initiate river cleanups.
Application criteria and process:
To apply, send a short motivation email to [email protected] with an optional CV attached. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee participation in the workshop. To ensure the best experience with the most suitable candidates, applications will be reviewed by the workshop organizing committee, who may reach out for an interview. Having swimming skills, paddling experience, and a background in volunteering, cleanup efforts, or outdoor activities is a plus. The participation fee is covered by the EU for selected applicants from the following Danube countries: Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Practical info:
Fees: For selected applicants, the accommodation, meals, and travel costs will be covered by the Aquatic Plastic project.
Accommodation: University students will be provided with basic comfort accommodation, either on a boat or in bungalows. NGO representatives will receive separate rooms in apartments.
Travel: To have your travel costs covered, your itinerary will be arranged by an official partner of the Aquatic Plastic project, together with fellow participants from your country.
Meals: Participants will receive 3 meals daily: breakfast, lunch and dinner, refreshments will be available on site during your whole stay.
The workshop will show you that river cleanups are great sources of joy:
and the collected plastic can be recycled in a thousand ways:
Download the workshop poster HERE
Send your application or your questions here: [email protected]
FAQs:
Q: What does ‘community river cleanup’ mean, and what types of pollution do you target?
A: River cleanup efforts focused on plastic pollution can be categorized as professional or community-driven. This workshop specifically covers community cleanups—teaching participants how to engage local communities and involve diverse stakeholders in cleanup initiatives.
Q: Why is the list of countries with free admission limited?
A: The Interreg Danube Region Program allocates a specific budget to project partners of Aquatic Plastic to cover workshop expenses. However, this funding is limited to participants from certain countries, restricting free admission to those eligible regions.
Q: How long does the selection process take?
A: After the application deadline, all submissions will be compiled and evaluated. If the number of applicants is high, a selection committee may be formed to conduct interviews. Applicants awarded free participation will be notified via email 2–3 weeks before the workshop.
Q: What exactly will we learn, and where is the workshop held?
A: The hydropower plant in Kisköre, on the Tisza River, receives a significant amount of plastic pollution each year, with floating waste accumulations sometimes spanning several hectares. Adjacent to this strategic site, the Plastic Cup Initiative has established the Riversaver Centre, a dedicated field station for river cleanup efforts. Here, alongside the Floating Exhibition, participants will explore how plastic pollution forms, behaves in rivers, and how it can be effectively managed.
- Category: News
The recent Co-Creation Workshop held on November 26-27, 2024, at the Water Research Institute (VUVH) in Bratislava aimed to train participants of the AQUATIC PLASTIC Project on effective co-creation methods. This training is designed to enhance stakeholder engagement when organizing similar workshops in their respective countries. The workshop focused on fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address the critical issue of plastic pollution through innovative and participatory approaches.
Day 1 Highlights:
- The event commenced with an opening by the facilitators, who emphasized the informal and engaging nature of the workshop. Participants were encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences openly.
- A series of group cohesion activities were conducted to foster relationships among participants. These included exercises such as positioning along a scale to express energy levels and familiarity with co-creation concepts, as well as creating Venn diagrams to identify shared traits.
- Participants engaged in discussions about their hopes for the project, using image cards to symbolize their aspirations and expectations.
- Key themes emerged regarding what participants need for full commitment to the AQPLA project, such as time, resources, recognition of stakeholders, and clear guidance from leadership.
Presentation Insights:
A presentation by a project representative highlighted experiences from previous roundtable events, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The introduction of stakeholder mapping methods was discussed, showcasing how effective networking can enhance project outcomes.
Day 2 Overview
The second day began with a warm-up exercise that allowed participants to reflect on their experiences from Day 1. A plenary discussion focused on the Policy Guidance Document aimed at addressing plastic pollution. Experts shared insights on effective communication strategies and the importance of engaging various stakeholders, particularly youth.
Participants were divided into groups to evaluate the existing Policy Guidance Document and propose improvements. They discussed how to ensure its relevance and effectiveness for key stakeholders while exploring innovative communication channels.
The workshop concluded with a commitment from participants to continue developing ideas and strategies in upcoming Helpdesk sessions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit essential for tackling plastic pollution.
This workshop represents a significant step towards fostering a co-creation mindset among stakeholders dedicated to addressing aquatic plastic challenges through shared knowledge and collective action.
- Category: News
One of the most important international trade exhibitions for the environmental profession has come to an end, bringing together organisations committed to sustainability and climate protection. The focus was on the environmental industry, waste, water, air quality and sustainable, innovative solutions. ENVIRONTEC powered by ÖKOINDUSTRIA is a new development of HUNGEXPO, in close cooperation with the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (HAEE). Both exhibitors and visitors rated the event a success, with several professional conferences in addition to the new products on display.
- Category: News
The FUTURE FORWARD: Circular Economy and Waste Management conference held at ENVIRONTEC culminated with a day of insightful presentations, particularly beneficial for those passionate about circular economy and waste management. Hosted by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (HAEE), this professional knowledge-sharing event offered a comprehensive understanding of the waste management landscape in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans, particularly in the context of transitioning to circular waste management.
- Category: News
On the second day of ENVIRONTEC powered by Ökoindustria, the RE:BROWN Remediation and Brownfield Investments conference was held with great interest, organised by the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (HAEE). The conference provided an opportunity to discuss national and EU remediation issues, current problems, draft objectives, legislative and implementation tasks, successful projects, new technologies and the empowerment of brownfield sites.
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