French Invention Captures 80% of Waste Before Reaching Sea
Although it is usually seen floating in seas and oceans, 80% of marine waste actually comes from land. French inventor Stéphane David created Clean-Up Rivers to tackle this issue, with filters and nets placed at stormwater outlets in more than 50 municipalities in southern France. The system can capture up to 80% of waste, providing a cost-effective solution for preventing pollution.
An invention born out of common sense
The idea for Clean-Up Rivers came after citizen clean-ups in Canet-en-Roussillon, where David realized the importance of addressing waste at its source. The system is low-cost, easy to maintain, and automatically releases in case of heavy rains to avoid blockages and floods. Different models are available, such as UCD Filet, UCD Filtre, and UCD Caisson, offering tailored solutions for different types of waste.
From local to global
Devices like Clean-Up Rivers represent a shift from cleaning up afterwards to preventing pollution beforehand. With benefits for the environment and public budgets, these systems could improve water management globally. The company is already developing new versions, like a filter for cigarette butts, to address specific sources of pollution. Implementing capture units on a larger scale could reduce ocean waste, free up resources for other environmental actions, and raise public awareness about the issue.
