Amazing Floating Solar-Powered Trash-Eaters Installed at Baltimore Harbor

Innovations around the world inspire us to think differently for environmental benefit. One such example at Baltimore’s floating trash-eaters that have intercepted 1 million tons of debris.

(Source: National Geographic)

The snail-like shaped solar- and hydro-powered trash interceptors have the ability to suck up plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, cigarette butts, and other debris.

The trash, which gets pulled in by floating containment booms, gets tangled and lifted by rotating forks before going up the conveyor belt and being deposited into the dumpster.

It uses solar panels and the river’s current to turn a waterwheel, which then activates a conveyor belt.

Hope to see more of these effective and playful floating trash devices in lakes and waterways.

The trash wheel’s creator, John Kellett, worked on the harbor for years and saw garbage floating on the water every day.
The trash is incinerated by the city to help generate electricity.