Projects
My work addresses plastic pollution and sustainability from both local and global perspectives. For example, I joined the Plastic Odyssey expedition to Henderson Island, documenting and analyzing plastic waste on one of the world’s most remote islands. I also participate in the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations, helping shape the international regulatory framework for decades ahead. Across projects, I focus on exploring new topics, amplifying diverse perspectives, and delivering reports and communications that drive impact.
-
UN Global Plastics Treaty
Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty
Contributing to the Secretariat of the Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty, supporting a coalition of over 130 innovators and advocating for innovation-friendly policies. My work includes liaising with members, policy makers and partners to raise awareness and contribute to an effective treaty process.
-
Upstream impact accounting
Earth Action, Verra, rePurpose Global, the World Bank group
Led a consortium comprising of Earth Action, Verra and rePurpose Global to explore the market and technical implications of developing a methodology to monitor the impact of upstream projects. Engaged with innovators, financiers and support organizations and moderated a high level event at INC5.2.
-
Plastics treaty & SMEs
Earth Action, WWF, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Worked with EA- Earth Action on a project commissioned by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation and WWF to research the potential impacts of the Global Plastics Treaty on businesses, focusing on smaller companies. The project entailed extensive research, modeling impacts and engaging with over 150 companies around the world.
-
Henderson Island expedition
Plastic Odyssey, Howell Conservation Fund
Joined the expedition to Henderson Island (part of Pitcairn Island group) in February 2024 as the marine debris scientist in charge of monitoring the state of pollution. This ‘impossible cleanup’ mapped marine debris on the remote, uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and successfully removed 9 tonnes of waste.
-
Sharjah sustainable tourism
Sea Going Green, Sharjah Commerce and Development
With Sea Going Green supported the Sharjah Commerce and Development Authority (SCTDA) to develop a vision for sustainable tourism in Sharjah with an associated website. Together we created a new sustainability education platform – Sustain Sharjah – and developed concept for carbon offset pilot.
-
Institute for Environmental Studies
VU Amsterdam
Continued affiliation with the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) department at VU Amsterdam, a leading sustainability institute conducting research and teaching. For IVM, I provide guest lectures, supervise Master’s students and ongoing research into circular economy and plastics.
-
CLAIM - Horizon 2020
VU Amsterdam
Researcher in the economic and policy working group of the four year, 19 partner CLAIM Horizon 2020 EU project. Led business model and innovation research and supported policy and citizen engagement through workshops and large scale public surveys.
-
Science for impact
With a strong academic background and a dedication to sustainability, I’m always on the lookout for projects and opportunities to maximize impact. I work at the intersection of science, business and society through sustainability strategy, targeted research and engaging communication. Reach out if you want to know more.
You can follow my latest work on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
Bibliography
Peer reviewed publications
Dijkstra, H., & Tirman, K. (2025). Assessing strategies for remote island beach cleanups: Lessons from the Pacific and Alaska. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117934
Dijkstra, H. (2025). The Henderson Island microcosm: plastic pollution accumulation in the South Pacific. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118095
Dijkstra, H., & Planko, J. (2023) The roles of sustainable entrepreneurs in tackling societal challenges: Quantifying how sustainable plastic companies act to create system change. Sustainable Production and Consumption. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.05.028
Dijkstra, H., van Beukering, P., & Brouwer, R. (2022). Marine plastic entrepreneurship; Exploring drivers, barriers and value creation in the blue economy. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stae.2022.100018
Dijkstra, H., van Beukering, P., & Brouwer, R. (2021). In the business of dirty oceans: Overview of startups and entrepreneurs managing marine plastic. Marine Pollution Bulletin. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111880
Dijkstra, H., van Beukering, P., & Brouwer, R. (2020). Business models and sustainable plastic management: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cleaner Production. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120967
Dijkstra, H., van Oosterhout, L., Borst, D., Duijndam, S., Rehdanz, K., & van Beukering, P. (2023). Triggering sustainable plastics consumption behavior: Identifying consumer profiles across Europe and designing strategies to engage them. Sustainable Production and Consumption. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.12.023
Dijkstra, H., & Grassin, J.B. (2023) Plastic Venture Builder (PVB): An empirically derived assessment tool to support plastic waste management ventures in low- and middle- income countries. Waste Management and Research. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0734242X231180648
Falk-Andersson, J., Rognerud, I., De Frond, H., Leone, G., Karasik, R., Diana, Z., Dijkstra, H., Ammendolia, J., Eriksen, M., Utz, R., Walker, T.R., & Fürst., K. (2023). Cleaning Up without Messing Up: Maximizing the Benefits of Plastic Clean-Up Technologies through New Regulatory Approaches. Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01885
Covered by Der Speigel 13.10.2023 – Plastikmüll schadet der Umwelt – aber seine Beseitigung oft auch (Plastic waste is harmful to the environment – but so is its disposal)
Brouwer, R., Huang, Y., Huizenga, T., Frantzi, S., Le, T., Sandler, J., Dijkstra, H., van Beukering, P., Costa, E., Garaventa, F. & Piazza, V. (2023). Assessing the performance of marine plastics cleanup technologies in Europe and North America. Ocean & Coastal Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106555
Van Oosterhout, L., Dijkstra, H., Van Beukering, P., Rehdanz, K., Khedr, S., Brouwer, R., & Duijndam, S. (2022). Public Perceptions of Marine Plastic Litter: A Comparative Study Across European Countries and Seas. Frontiers in Marine Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.784829
Frantzi, S., Brouwer, R., Watkins, E., van Beukering, P., Cunha, M.C., Dijkstra, H., Duijndam, S., Jaziri, H., Okoli, I.C., Pantzar, M. and Cotera, I.R., (2021). Adoption and diffusion of marine litter clean-up technologies across European seas: Legal, institutional and financial drivers and barriers. Marine Pollution Bulletin. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112611
Khedr, S., Rehdanz, K., Brouwer, R., van Beukering, P., Dijkstra, H., Duijndam, S., & Okoli, I. C. (2023). Public preferences for marine plastic litter management across Europe. Ecological Economics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107609
Hagedoorn, L. C., Brander, L. M., Van Beukering, P. J. H., Dijkstra, H. M., Franco, C., Hughes, L., Gilders, I., & Segal, B. (2019). Community-based adaptation to climate change in small island developing states: an analysis of the role of social capital. Climate and Development https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2018.1562869
Dijkstra., H. (2016). Tackling Climate Change as an Island Community: An application of the integrated climate change adaptation framework in Melekeok State, Palau. Thesis submitted for the Master’s of Science in Environment and Resource Management http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28331.75043
Commentary articles
Dijkstra, H. (2022). Entrepreneurs are key assets to systemically address marine plastic pollution. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00353-1
Dijkstra, H. (2023). The Plastics Treaty as an instrument of innovation in “Charting success for the Plastics Treaty.” One Earth 6, no. 6 (2023): 575-581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.05.022
Doctoral dissertation
Dijkstra, H. (2023). Ripples to waves: How business models and entrepreneurs are propelling the transition towards a sustainable plastic system. [Doctoral Thesis, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam]. https://doi.org/10.5463/thesis.220
Policy and industry reports
Understanding plastic data and footprinting: A step-by-step guide to support the CDP Plastics Module. Report by Earth Action with CDP (2025).
Blog explainer here
Shift into gear – How businesses can prepare for the era of global plastic regulation. Report by Earth Action for SAP (2025).
Blog explainer here
Making the global plastics treaty work for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Report by Earth Action for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF (2024).
Sustainable Finance in EU Overseas Territories – An assessment of sustainable finance mechanisms in the Caribbean region. Report for JNCC by van Beukering, P., Hagedoorn, L., Dijkstra, H., Lujan Gallegos, V., & Smith, M.
SRJS Scoping Report – An initial assessment of economic valuation and ecosystem services in Aceh, Chaco-Pantanal, Guianas and Zambezi for WWF-NL by van Beukering, P., Hagedoorn, L., & Dijkstra, H.