Baltimore is home to notable river cleanup devices:
Mister Trash Wheel
Captain Trash Wheel
Professor Trash Wheel
Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West
These devices are powered by solar energy and waves
They aim to address the issue of trash in rivers, which contributes to ocean pollution
Overview of Plastic Pollution
Up to 2.97 million tons of plastic enter oceans via rivers annually
Much of this plastic originates from areas without proper waste management systems
Heavy rains wash trash into rivers, contributing to oceanic waste
Waste generation is projected to increase from 2.2 billion tons in 2020 to 3.9 billion tons by 2050
Key Factors in Waste Management
Solutions to the waste problem include:
Improved waste infrastructure
Sustainable packaging
Reduced consumption
Public awareness on proper disposal
Current efforts yield approximately 30 tons of trash collected monthly in Baltimore
Four types of interceptors are deployed across nine rivers, totaling about 10,000 tons of plastic prevented from reaching the ocean
Global Perspectives on Waste Management
Low-income countries face significant waste management challenges
In Sub-Saharan Africa, much of the waste is not collected or improperly disposed of
Nearly 40% of waste is collected but over 90% is dumped or burned
Middle-income countries (e.g., Philippines, India, Malaysia) contribute significantly to ocean plastic due to poor waste infrastructure
Hyper-Polluting Rivers
80% of plastic entering oceans via rivers comes from 1,000 hyper-polluting rivers
These rivers are often smaller and located in urban areas
Majority of plastic pollution does not reach the ocean; thus, tackling it at the source is crucial
Technologies for River Cleanup
Baltimore's Trash Wheels
Developed by Clearwater Mills, inspired by local pollution after storms
Containment booms and rotating wheels capture trash
Over 2,000 tons of trash collected, including 1.5 million plastic bottles
Operational costs range from $18,000 to over $100,000 per year
The Ocean Cleanup
Initiated by Boyan Slat to address oceanic plastic pollution
Introduced river cleanup devices like the Interceptor, which is larger and more automated than Trash Wheels
Developing barriers and Trashfence for various river conditions
AlphaMERS Solutions
Low-tech, cost-effective river barriers using stainless steel mesh
Capable of capturing significant amounts of plastic
Integration of conveyor belts for efficient trash removal
Challenges and Future Directions
Current cleanup devices are not sustainable long-term; behavioral change is essential
Emphasis on community involvement and alternative solutions is crucial
Financial models are being explored to support waste management
Cross-subsidization, volume-based waste fees, and gradual fee increases
Conclusion
While cleanup devices serve as a stopgap measure, a holistic approach involving community action, infrastructure improvements, and education is necessary for lasting change.