Abbà Filippo, Arzese Andrea, Bassi Alessandro, Casaschi Alessandro, Cigagna Marco, Costa Irene, Guaraglia Giovanni, Stabile Angelica, Tosonotti Lorenzo, Vimborsati Nicole
"THE LARGEST CLEANUP IN HISTORY"
THE INTERCEPTOR EXPLAINED
This invention is a solar powered floating machine that stops plastic from flowing downriver into the seas.
It is 100% solar-powered, extracts plastic autonomously, and is capable of operating in the majority of the world’s most polluting rivers.
+50,000 kilograms of plastic per day.
The Interceptor can work autonomously until it’s full and can continue extracting debris even when the dumpsters are being emptied
It has a large storage capacity
HOW IT WORKS
- River waste flowing with the current is guided by the barrier towards the opening of the Interceptor.
- The current moves the debris onto a conveyor belt, which continuously extracts the debris from the water and delivers the waste to the shuttle.
- A shuttle automatically distributes the debris across six dumpsters.
- The Interceptor can store up to 50m³ of trash before needing to be emptied
- When the interceptor is almost full, it automatically sends a text message to the local operators to come and collect the waste.
FEATURES
- it can be used anywhere in the world
- Everything on the Interceptor (conveyor belt, shuttle, lights, sensors etc.) is solar powered.
- The Interceptors are internet-connected in order to gather continuous data and to automatically inform local operators when the dumpsters are full.
PLACEMENT IN RIVERS
The Interceptors will be placed in strategic locations in rivers to make sure the main plastic flow is intercepted, meanwhile allowing for boats to pass.
In the case no natural hotline is present, an upstream barrier can be used to create this effect artificially.
To rid the oceans of plastic, we need to not only clean up what is already out there, but also stop new plastic from entering the ocean: we need to close the tap.
"We currently have eight Interceptors"
INTERCEPTOR 001
Jakarta, Indonesia, Cengkareng Drain
"We are looking forward to expanding the cooperation within Jakarta and within the rest of Indonesia in the future."
INTERCEPTOR 002
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
The Klang River runs through Kuala Lumpur. The Klang River is one of the 50 most polluting rivers worldwide.
INTERCEPTOR 003
Can Tho River, Can Tho, Vietnam
Interceptor 003 conducted its first waste extraction in the Can Tho River, which runs through the city center and feeds into the Bassac River
This location is considered unique because of the heavy vessel traffic and its currents; for this reason it allowed a better trial under exceptional conditions.
INTERCEPTOR 004
Rio Ozama, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The interceptor was installed in August 2020 and is operated by the Dominican Navy.
INTERCEPTOR 005
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
The interceptor 005 is the second Interceptor deployed in the Klang River, one of the 50 most polluted rivers globally.
INTERCEPTOR 008, 009, 010
Kingston Harbour, Jamaica
The Benioff Ocean Initiative has awarded The Ocean Cleanup’s proposal to clean Kingston Harbour by interception of plastic from the gullies feeding into it .
Thanks to this experience the Ocean Cleanup realized how important studying the local conditions is and that they can't simply follow the model blindly, on the contrary they must continue their research in order to improve and develop different interceptors.
"We are deploying Interceptor Barriers at the mouth of the gullies and Interceptor Tenders to collect the waste."
80% OF RIVER PLASTIC STEMS FROM 1000 RIVERS
Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution
"WE AIM TO TACKLE PLASTIC IN 1000 RIVERS IN 5 YEARS"
HELP
They need help from individuals all over the world in spreading the message of the top polluting rivers Given the scale and the urgency of the issue, the Ocean Cleanup needs partners to reach the goal of tackling plastic in the 1000 most polluting rivers in 5 years from rollout
THE PRICE TAG OF PLASTIC POLLUTION
Yearly economic costs due to marine plastic are estimated to be between $6-19 bn USD.
The costs originate from its impact on tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and (governmental) cleanups. Intercepting plastic in rivers is much more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences downstream.