While removing plastic waste from the ocean is incredibly important, it is equally as important to stop plastic waste and trash from ever reaching the ocean. Cleaning plastic from our rivers is crucial in minimizing the amount of plastic found in the ocean. Fortunately for Earth, The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit taking on plastic waste in the ocean today, also has a novel solution for stopping plastic from entering it via rivers.
A solar-powered barge named the “Interceptor”. The 78-foot long vessel resembles a large houseboat and uses a curved barrier to catch waste floating downstream. The trash, much of it plastic, is directed to the “mouth” of the barge. The barge operates like a ninja on the river, quite and stealth. The trash that is collected, rolls up a conveyor belt and in is dumped into a dumpster. This bad boy is able to collect up to 50 tons of trash per day! Wow!
Currently the Klang River in Malaysia is home to one of these Interceptors where it can be seen quietly scooping up trash. The Klang river alone sends more than 15,000 tons annually into the sea, making it one of the 50 most-polluted rivers in the world. There is also a barge stationed in Jakarta, the overcrowded capital of neighboring Indonesia, while two others will be sent to Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.
The Ocean Cleanup is well aware that 80% of plastic waste that ends up in the sea floats down just 1,000 rivers worldwide. That’s why the nonprofit has an ambitious target of stationing one trash-collecting barge in all these waterways.
Imagine if all 1,000 rivers that deposit such trash had one of these barges? Just imagine the impact that would have on our planet and oceans! Absolutely amazing! The best part…they are solar powered! Simply brilliant!