This Machine Has Removed 1 Million Lbs Of Trash From The Water. Why Aren't They Everywhere?

March 1, 2017

Baltimore's Inner Harbor Water Wheel, or "Mr. Trash Wheel" to locals, combines old and new technology to harness the power of water and sunlight to collect litter and debris flowing down the Jones Falls River.

mr trash wheel Baltimore MD 1 millon pounds
Credit: Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore

The river's current provides power to turn the water wheel, which lifts trash and debris from the water and deposits it into a dumpster barge. When there isn't enough water current, a solar panel array provides additional power to keep the machine running.

When the dumpster is full, it's towed away by boat, and a new dumpster is put in place.

According to Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Mr. Trash Wheel has removed more than one million pounds of garbage and debris since it launched in 2014.

Watch Mr. Trash Wheel in action below:

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