Welcome to Ripples to Waves

A new space to share my writings, research updates, science news and personal musings.

Hello, and welcome!

My name is Dr. Hanna Dijkstra. I’m a plastic pollution and solutions researcher, consultant and now, communicator. After many years writing academic articles and polished reports, I recently dipped my toe into creative writing and personal narratives, and its been a game changer. Realizing I love writing has been a surprising joy of 2025, but actually sharing that writing is an exercise in facing fear. So here I go, diving straight in by launching this newsletter and inviting you to join me.

Starting a newsletter involving plastic and storytelling is also timely. On the micro and macro level, things are happening in the plastic world. Personally, I have new research coming out from an expedition I joined last year to clean up a remote island in the middle of the South Pacific. The expedition was incredibly tough, emotional and inspiring, and I’m so excited to share more. On a global level, this August will be the next (and hopefully last) negotiations of the UN Global Plastics Treaty. If an ambitious treaty is passed, this will significantly influence national regulations and industry (similar to the UN Climate COPs). But I plan to cover so much more than just plastic research and updates.

Me, on East Beach of Henderson Island surveying monitoring sites. Photo by Pierre de Parscau

This newsletter will connect small actions and big impacts. I’ll zoom in on a single piece of plastic I found on the beach of Henderson Island and explain how currents and consumption patterns brought it there. I plan to showcase examples of inspiring people and projects working to improve their homes, communities and countries. I will try break down the latest research and plastic news to make it palatable and actionable.

Together, we can grapple with trying to live a sustainable life within societal structures that don’t always make it easy. I’ll talk about my own journey, through life, science, travel, community, relationships and (of course) imposter syndrome. Expect personal reflections and musings, like the tough realities of field work and the ongoing challenge of career development.

What I’m planning on sharing

• Behind-the-scenes essays on remote plastic research and the realities of academia

• Personal reflections on science, identity, place and purpose

• News and analysis on global plastic issues - with context

• Simple sustainable tips and powerful case studies - small ripples with potential waves

My first essays include a trip to a local recycling center in Amsterdam, a reflection from my journey to worlds most remote polluted island and musings on the beauty of spring.

Ripples to Waves is a place to make sense of living in our modern world (with plastic) and I’m so grateful you are here.

Thanks for joining, more soon.

Hanna

Always smiling by the sea