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2026-26-05
Wiebe van Leeuwen
Some people talk about change. Others step onto a surfboard and just go. Merijn Tinga, better known as the Plastic Soup Surfer, windsurfed from Nice to Rome to draw attention to a proven solution against litter: a deposit return system for plastic bottles and cans.
His mission? To bring a reverse vending machine and a working deposit return system to the attention of Vatican City. That might sound like a grand gesture. And it is. But at the same time, it is exactly the kind of concrete action that makes us happy at Tible.
This is by no means an isolated expedition, as Merijn has been traveling along European coasts and rivers for more than twelve years to follow the trail of plastic pollution. Tible, for its part, has been involved in the Dutch deposit return system for more than seventeen years. A great match, then, and truth be told, with a first name like Merijn, there was an instant connection with our founder Merijn Boom!
This time, however, there was something new about the Plastic Soup Surfer's journey: our logo was on his sail. Not (just😉) for decoration, but because we believe in the same solution. We build the software that makes deposit return systems work, and Merijn shows the world why they are needed. Talk about teamwork!
The highlight of the trip was on May 21: Merijn met Pope Leo XIV in Rome, where he presented a reverse vending machine to the Vatican on behalf of Tible. Especially in a place with such global visibility, a step like this can show that sustainability doesn't have to be vague or far away. You can start today. With something small. Something tangible. Something people understand.
Merijn didn't just sail to Rome to talk about plastic pollution; he comes with concrete solutions. And now there is a proposal for a deposit return system in Vatican City. That is what Merijn does so well. He doesn't just make the plastic soup feel big and urgent, but also close by and solvable. And that resonates with us.
Because a reverse vending machine is never just a machine; it is a solution in which retail, logistics, producers, technology, and users all play their part. When that system works well, it feels simple. You return something, you get your deposit back, done. But to make it feel simple, a lot has to go right behind the scenes. And that is where our Reverse Vending Collector platform comes into play.
At Tible, we love solutions that work in the real world. Not just on paper. Not just in a presentation. But on the floor, in the store, in the supply chain, and with the people who actually have to work with it.
With our Reverse Vending Collector platform, we help retailers gain control over return flows and counts. Which packaging is coming in? Where do discrepancies arise? What data is needed to keep processes reliable and auditable?
That might sound technical, but ultimately it is about something very human: trust. Trust that counts are accurate, that systems seamlessly fit into daily operations, and that a circular supply chain is not just a good idea, but remains practically feasible.
That is where the connection with Merijn's mission lies for us. He makes a massive problem visible and brings it back to something concrete. One bottle. One can. One machine. One system that works.
The Netherlands has a lot of experience with deposit return systems. That knowledge is becoming increasingly relevant in other countries. In the UK, parties are also working on deposit return systems. In the future, countries like France and Italy will have to take or accelerate similar steps. When that happens, it is not just about policy, but mainly about execution. About systems that are reliable. About data that provides insight. About technology that doesn't get in the way, but helps. That is what we believe in.
IT shouldn't complicate what is already complex enough. Technology should bring clarity, support processes, and help people move forward. Whether it is an SME looking to get a grip on its IT or a deposit return chain processing millions of packagings.
Together with SecDesk, we support Merijn Tinga during his mission because it touches upon something we have been building for years: smart, reliable, and human-centric technology for circular systems. Merijn shows that change begins the moment someone decides to get moving. Against the current, if necessary.
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