Canal It Up
We aim for a clean plastic-free canal in Brussels where nature has its place
IS THERE A PROBLEM?
Yes. The canal at the heart of Brussels has to face a constant stream of garbage, a lack of nature and a bad water quality.
HOW DO WE WANT TO INTERVENE?
RAISING AWARENESS
Every week with new volunteers we go fishing for trash in the canal with our kayaks.
INSTALLING A TRASH BARRIER
We are currently working on the installation of a permanent structure, to be placed close to the Molenbeek lock, to stop the trash and take it out of the water.
GREENING THE CANAL
We propose to give nature its place back in the canal to transform it into a green and pleasant environment for people and animals through the installation of vegetalised islands.
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY
Tackling the problem of the sewage overflows would allow to drasically improve the water quality of the canal.
RECYCLING
We are exploring creative solutions to recycle the trash collected in the canal.
SEWAGE DISCHARGE METER
Sainctelette: Overflow events in February
Every month we count the number of days the Sainctelette and Maelbeek overflows are activated and publish the results here. These numbers are to be compared to the current Flemish standard according to which an overflow can only function 7 days per year. The overflows in Brussels exceed this annual amount almost every single month. Three overflows in particular are responsible for 75% of the discharged volume into the Senne and the canal.
News & events
We are back on the water! Join us!
Press article about our Open letter to the minister of Environnement
SAY NO TO PLASTIC, did you already try to?
Video report: Canal It Up publishes every month the number of sewage overflows
Looking for a nice activity to explore your own city?
Jommeke and Bruzz at World Cleanup Day 2020
Sainctelette overflow in action
World Cleanup Day – September 20
Canal It Up at Bx1 studio
Great news! Our cool summer activity is prolonged in September
Article in the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad
Canal it up presentation to local politicians
Spotted by Flair!
The New kids on the block
Fishing for plastic in the canal of Brussels has always been your dream?
You would rather not dive into the water but you still would like to help us?