Tackle Urban Waterway Garbage with the WasteShark

We have a serious problem with garbage (particularly plastic) getting into our waterways. Whether it’s a bay, a marina, or just your local beach, there is nothing more unsightly or environmentally unhealthy than seeing the water choked with garbage. Unfortunately, getting in there to clear it out is a task that takes a lot of time and a lot of energy.

Or, at least, it was before the WasteShark came on the scene.

We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Bin

The idea behind the WasteShark is fairly simple, as you can see in this video. It’s essentially a combination of a recycling bin and a Roomba, but built on a catamaran frame with an electric motor. The WasteShark can either be controlled via a remote (which bears a strong resemblance to a video game controller), or it can be left to patrol automatically (assuming there are no major hazards in the waterway that could cause a problem). The bin keeps the garbage inside while the WasteShark moves, and when it’s full you just lift it out, empty the bin, and then put it back to work.

Not only does it significantly reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to keep a waterway clean, but the WasteShark can also be charged with solar power, or directly from a wall socket. This ensures there’s no fuel being burned while it cleans, and if something goes wrong there’s no worry about spilling fuel into the water to add to the environmental damage being done.

Reducing the amount of waste we create, and throwing it away properly is important going forward. But for all the waste that’s already slipped through our safety nets and wound up where it isn’t supposed to be, the WasteShark gives us a relatively simple way to start keeping our waters clean.