Plastic Cleanup
Table of Contents
Resources & Toolkits
River Network: Waste In Our Waters Community Toolkit for Aquatic Litter Removal (PDF)
Precious Plastic "The alternative plastic recycling system run by (brilliant) people around the planet."
Apps & Blockchains
Plastic Bank "Our proprietary blockchain-secured platform records every transaction and gives traceability to your impact."
"By partnering with Plastic Bank, you are enabling plastic collection within 50 kilometers of ocean-bound waterways and coastlines. Our communities gather plastic waste directly from local beaches, riverbanks, neighbourhoods, and even households – so we are able stop ocean plastic directly at source.
Together, we are revealing value in plastic waste and improving lives. Our members exchange plastic waste as currency at local Plastic Bank branches for bonuses that help provide basic family necessities, such as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, health insurance, digital connectivity, and fintech services. By offering safe, secure, and traceable sources of income, we’re empowering communities in vulnerable areas with a path out of poverty."
Guidance & Diversion Solutions
Bubble Barrier
This technology is used in the oil industry, dredging industry, and Dutch lock system. The bubbles create a wall which allows wildlife and boats to safely pass through. The system works most efficiently when placed at a diagonal to the river's flow, which uses the river's own power to propel the waste to the banks to collection points.
Microplastics
Microplastics are estimated to account for 80% to 85% of marine litter. Some of it has shed from fishing equipment, shoes, tires, and ocean trash, but large deposits of microplastics have becomes concentrated around sewage outlets indicating that our laundry is another major source of this pollution.
Click the Laundry button to learn about filters and other ways to keep your laundry from dumping microplastic into the environment.
Mobile
Clewat Technology
Clewat Capable of collecting 200 cubic meters of garbage per hour and capable of collecting 1/2 millimeter-sized particles. Operable with onboard controls. The catamaran-based technology is flexible, scalable. The machines can pick up plastic, harmful vegetation, and oil.
Stationary
The Bandalong Litter Trap
Bandalong's range of Litter Traps and Boom Systems provide solutions for capturing floating litter and debris. These capture and retain all floating litter and debris "regardless of tidal movement, varying water levels without impeding natural flow or endangering fish and wildlife." - https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/solutions/bandalong-litter-trap-2/
The Interceptor
-"Under optimal operations, the Interceptor can extract 50,000 kilograms of plastic per day." "The Interceptor can store up to 50m³ of trash before needing to be emptied. This means it’s capable of operating even in the most polluted rivers all over the world." "The Interceptor is The Ocean Cleanup’s answer for river plastic waste. It is the first scalable solution to prevent plastic from entering the world’s oceans from rivers." "It is 100% solar-powered, extracts plastic autonomously, and is capable of operating in the majority of the world’s most polluting rivers." The bottom of this page shows the evolution of clean up technology designs.
Litter Traps such as the "Litter Gitter"
1:35 minute video from the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
Canal Cleaner and Circleaner by Noria
Canal Cleaner (1:26 minuten durende video en site in het nederlands/Dutch) The Dutch company is piloting various new technologies for litter collection. "Noria maps out the locations where plastic can be collected, remove it from the water with their energy-efficient and fish-friendly systems and then process the plastic into new products." - https://foundedinfriesland.com/en/ecosystem/founded-news/startup-in-residence-northern-netherlands-tackling-plastic-from-city-to-sea-with-noria
Nash Trap
StormX
StormXTM "is engineered to capture gross pollutants and handle powerful storm water runoff at most urban hot spots. Commercial grade, reusable nets provide full capture of gross pollutants as small as 5 mm, including organic materials (such as leaves) that could reduce the levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in our water. This economical solution to litter and debris in storm water runoff is highly effective for “first flush.” To prevent flooding, built-in overflows allow heavy runoff to flow unimpeded.
Storm Water Systems is the sole North American licensee and manufacturer of StormX. StormX is the ideal end-of-pipe solution for capturing floatables in combined sewer overflow applications. Additionally, StormX has a proven track record of success with zero failures for more than 15 years."
Statistics and Construction
Standard sizes are 18”, 24”, 30”, 36”, 60″ and custom sizes are available
Weir configuration best serves outfalls larger than 70″
304/316 stainless steel hubs made in USA
Hubs are anchored into concrete or attached to existing pipe ends/outfalls
Commercial grade HDPE nets are durable, reusable and easily maintained
Nets are minimum 5 feet in length
Highly effective for “first flush”
Unique Features
Captures gross pollutants as small as 5mm, as well as organic materials (such as leaves) that could reduce the levels of phosphorous and nitrogen
Overflows designed in hubs and weirs
Easily emptied with truck mounted crane or two man crew
Assists with sediment fallout and collection
** Purchasing Information**
One year limited warranty
No minimum order
Water Goat
2:10 Video demonstrating Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful's instalation
Collection Techniques
Baltimore City Trash Skimmer Boat in the Inner Harbor 1:47 minute Video
"This trash boom collects some of the floating trash until the trash skimmer boats can come by and collect it." Technique for scooping litter from inside a boom, and scooping it up on the out of the boom.
Programs & Projects
Oceana
Australia
Ghost Net Initiative "The Australian Government has launched the Ghost Nets Initiative to tackle the issue of ghost nets and plastic litter in the waters and beaches of northern Australia."
Tackle Loop "What to do with old, unwanted, and broken fishing gear? OzFish is answering this important question by providing the resources and knowledge to support rec fishers to recycle and reuse old gear."
Tangle Bins "give fishers the ability to do the right thing and put their discarded tackle and washed out bait-bags into a purpose build bin located close to their favourite fishing spots.
They also provide much needed fishing line disposal infrastructure, increasing the drive for recreational fishers and the wider community to pick up and throw away fishing litter, that could otherwise end up in our waterways."Wasted Waterways Clean-Up Days "OzFishers all over the country are rolling up their sleeves to cleaning up our much loved waterways and help fish thrive."
The Yabby Trap Round-Up "We’ve teamed up with TierraMar, through its Ghostnets Australia program, in collaboration with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to bring you The Yabby Trap Round-Up. We’re looking to collect all your old and unwanted Opera House yabby traps and recycle them into useful products for fishers, with the proceeds being used to support habitat restoration."
Accessible Technology to Recycle Recovered Plastics
Precious Plastic is a group dedicated to helping anyone, anywhere in the world build plastic-recycling technology from easily available parts.
Even though recovered plastic can be of questionable safety for applications such as food-storage, they can create very durable products such as park benches, well -insulated & low-cost homes, or even tracking devices for environmental studies (to track wildlife or ocean pollution). By carefully choosing which products we make from natural resources, vs which ones we create from recovered plastics, we can help close the pollution valve and create a circular economy, instead of one that supports the fossil-fuel industry.
It is imperative that we have affordable solutions so that entrepreneurs, communities, students, and environments organizations can access these solutions. Government funding could help create new industries, which could bring struggling fishermen and other at-risk groups steady, fair-pay jobs. These industries could help protect the environment.
Examples
In 2020 the USA exported more than 1 billions pounds of plastic to 96 nations including Kenya. A Kenyan material scientist found a way to produce bricks from recycled plastic that are stronger than traditional bricks which will hopefully help reduce the danger that pollution poses to her people. The project is being scaled up and should help with local housing and employment.
In Ghana, Nelson Boateng is trying to upscale his project to build end homelessness with recycled plastic bricks.
Recycled Products Already Made From Reclaimed Plastic
Conservation
Litter Traps
Recycled Park
"Floating parks are a plus for cities. They bring more greenery to highly urbanized areas. In collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam, we developed green structures from recycled plastics. In this way, we can stimulate biodiversity in harbors. We constructed hexagon shaped building blocks where on, at and in vegetation grows. Through the park runs a small canal about half a meter deep, where birds, fish and micro-organism find food, breeding ground and shelter. 28 hexagon blocks of 5 square meters make our Floating Park in Rotterdam 140 square meters. It is located in the Rijnhaven, Tillemakade 99, and open for visitors." - https://www.clearrivers.eu/recycling
Trackers for Wildlife and Pollution
These can be incredibly durable
Construction
As millions of people are forced to repair and rebuild their homes, plus our population continues to grow. Building materials become more scarce. There are shortages especially due to Covid, deforestation, mining, pollution from shipping and manufacturing processes all working against us. By taking local pollution and turning it into highly durable materials, we can protect at risk communities from extreme weather, at less cost to our environment. Everyone deserves a sturdy home and a clean community, which innovative plastic-to-brick ventures are making possible. "In most of the areas where plastic pollution is highly concentrated also the housing situation is poor. People live in slums and have a high demand for durable shelter. The bricks can be used as building blocks to make many modular and circular designs." - https://www.clearrivers.eu/recycling
Home and Office
3D Printed Furniture These plastic furniture designs are more sturdy than the modern trend of poorly made plywood harvested from delicate eco-systems. Plastic furniture will not rot or warp if exposed to flood waters, and can simply be washed down. This unique feature also makes them ideal for combining with plant containers for naturally shaded patio, or indoor use.
Infrastructure
Safety Rails & Balusters these can protect cyclists and others from auto collisions, by turning unprotected bike lanes into protected routes. These installations can save lives while reducing air pollution as timid and novice riders will feel safer near main roads.
Organizations
International
The Bottle Bill Resource Guide "is an ongoing project of the Container Recycling Institute, dedicated to providing comprehensive information about beverage container deposit laws across the US and around the world."
Ghost Diving is the largest and most experienced global diving organization focused on the "ghost fishing" phenomenon with a track record in a wide variety of countries and international waters. 'Ghost fishing' is a common term that describes what happens when derelict fishing gear 'continues to fish', another term used is abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG).
Ghost divers are operating in their free time and carry out innovative and challenging nature conservation projects independent or with the help of known and unknown fellow environmental organizations. Our efforts have brought the phenomenon of 'ghost fishing' to the attention of the public through key international collaborations, inspiring underwater photography, and unparalleled results.
"Ghost fishing gear is everywhere, but so are we!""
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals." Click here and scroll down for a list and map of regions where they work.
Precious Plastic "The alternative plastic recycling system run by (brilliant) people around the planet."
Africa
Egypt
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Lebanon
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Asia
Hong Kong
Ghost Diving Hong Kong "we approach ghost net removal operations with the mindset o..."
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Indonesia
Seven Clean Seas "exists to build and operate impact projects that clean the oceans and generate fairly paid, formal jobs."
Korea
Ghost Diving Korea "은 바닷속에 버려진 폐그물로 인하여 무의미 하게 죽어가는 해양?"
South Korea
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Thailand
Seven Clean Seas "exists to build and operate impact projects that clean the oceans and generate fairly paid, formal jobs."
Europe
The Ocean Cleanup "a non-profit organization, is developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. When we have achieved our goal of a 90% reduction in ocean plastic, our project is finished and our work will be done." The organization offers river and ocean clean up technology, and turns collected plastic into useable items such as sunglasses.
Albania
Austria
Belgium
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Cypress
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
France
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Germany
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Greece
Ghost Diving Greece Facebook
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Ireland
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Italy
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Montenegro
Netherlands
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Poland
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Portugal
Ghost Diving Portugal "Proteção dos oceanos"
Slovenia
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Spain
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Switzerland
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
UK
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
North America
Mexico
USA
Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
The Ocean Cleanup "a non-profit organization, is developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. When we have achieved our goal of a 90% reduction in ocean plastic, our project is finished and our work will be done." The organization offers river and ocean clean up technology, and turns collected plastic into useable items such as sunglasses.
Florida
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful offers a variety of ways to get involved from clean up projects to educational programs for kids.
Oceana
New Zealand
Ghost Diving NZ (GDNZ) is the New Zealand branch of an international organisation who collaborate worldwide with various local groups of technical and salvage divers to remove lost fishing gear.
GDNZ have embraced this concept and diversified it by also removing rubbish and debris, fishing gear, abandoned fishing nets and various other dumped items we find from the local environment.
Check our website and follow us on socials to keep informed of events, coastline clean-ups, access discounted training sessions and support our efforts to make our wonderful country even more beautiful."Healthy Seas "is a registered charity founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals."
Maps
International
CYGNSS Detection of Global Ocean Microplastic Concentration (42 second Video) Map demonstrates how satellite imaging measures microplastic concentrations migrating around ocean systems in what appears to be a yearly cycle. Such data may help scientists and communities pin point key strategic points to focus plastic clean-up efforts. Presented by the University of Michigan Engineering and related article here.
River Plastic Emissions to the World's Oceans "Rivers are a major source of plastic waste in the oceans. We estimate that 1000 rivers, represented by the red dots, are accountable for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions, which range between 0.8 – 2.7 million metric tons per year, with small urban rivers amongst the most polluting. The remaining 20% of plastic emissions are distributed over 30,000 rivers, represented by smaller blue dots."
OceanCleanup: Plastic Tracker - "This map is an educative tool to illustrate the fate of floating plastic 20 years from now, should you lose it today from your location or anywhere else in the world. Where will it go? How probable is it that it will reach the ocean? This tool will give you a possible answer to these questions and show you just how far plastic can travel from its starting point."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
Minnesota
Capital Project Grants "are designed to support final engineering and construction of large-scale, innovative projects that protect or improve water quality and habitat within the MWMO watershed. The MWMO provides both technical and financial assistance to eligible projects. (Smaller-scale projects may be eligible for a Stewardship Fund Grant.)"
Minnesota
MWMO: Community Grants "are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required."