Latest news with #WasteShark
RNZ News
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
WasteShark device cleaning up rivers
A company in the Netherlands has launched a plastic bottle-eating, river dwelling robot. The WasteShark is a product from Dutch company RanMarine and it's getting traction, recently being deployed in places like Leeds in the UK, where it has been embraced by locals . The device is a catamaran hull with a basket in the middle - it spots trash in the water, captures it and then brings it back to the user. Richard Hardiman is the founder of RanMarine and speaks to Susie about the device and how he wants to develop it. Photo: Supplied by RanMarine
BBC News
26-06-2025
- BBC News
Campaign to fund Leeds canal litter-eating drone a success
A fundraising campaign to pay for a drone to continue cleaning a city's waterways has smashed its than £45,000 was raised in less than eight weeks to fund the continuing use of the WasteShark, which is said to have removed the equivalent of more than 4,000 litres of organic matter, plastic and debris from around Leeds Dock in its first Waterfront Group (LWG) launched their campaign in May to raise £24,000 for another year of the device - with hopes that a further £10,000 could be raised to fund an extra day a week's chair Paul Ellison said he had been "blown away" by the response to the campaign to keep the machine's mission going. A spokesperson for LWG said the money had been raised thanks to the efforts of 12 business sponsors who stumped up £24,000, and more than 400 donations from the public, which raised £21, said the funds would allow the drone to bag an additional 4,500 litres of rubbish per directly by a human controller, the drone, which is reportedly the only one of its kind in the UK, is equipped with GPS, collision avoidance technology and a camera, to avoid posing a risk to wildlife or other water objects are too large for it to "swallow" the WasteShark is also capable of manoeuvring them to the side to be removed manually. Mr Ellison said: "We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has shown their support, particularly our sponsors, who will not only be providing funding, but also helping us spread the message about keeping our waterways clean and protecting our local environment."He added: "WasteShark is unique to our city and it's hugely gratifying to know that so many people share our desire to continue making a difference at a local level." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Arabian Post
05-06-2025
- Science
- Arabian Post
Innovative Technologies Revolutionising River Pollution Control
Arabian Post Staff Rivers across the globe are receiving new attention with a wave of innovative technologies designed to tackle plastic and other pollutants more efficiently than ever before. These emerging systems focus on smart, targeted solutions rather than brute-force methods, achieving significant gains in waste removal while minimising harm to aquatic ecosystems. Four technologies stand out for their unique approaches and effectiveness in various water environments. The Bubble Barrier system is transforming river pollution management by creating a subtle yet effective method for directing floating debris. Rather than installing physical barriers that can harm fish and disrupt natural flow, this system releases a curtain of fine bubbles along the riverbed. These bubbles generate an upward current that gently pushes plastic waste toward the riverbank, where it can be collected safely. Designed with marine life preservation as a priority, the Bubble Barrier operates quietly and with minimal energy, making it sustainable and scalable. Its implementation in European waterways has demonstrated substantial reductions in plastic load downstream, underscoring the potential for global application. ADVERTISEMENT Another breakthrough is the WasteShark drone, an autonomous surface vehicle designed to seek out and collect plastic waste and biomass. Powered entirely by electric batteries, WasteShark operates silently and emission-free, making it suitable for sensitive environmental zones. Its shark-inspired design allows for agile manoeuvrability in narrow or complex waterways where traditional clean-up vessels cannot reach. This technology continuously scans the water surface, collecting debris into its internal storage, which is then offloaded for proper disposal or recycling. Trials conducted in urban canals and small rivers show WasteShark's capacity to reduce floating waste accumulation significantly, while also cutting labour costs associated with manual cleaning. Seabin technology complements these innovations with a more stationary but highly effective approach. Installed in harbours and marinas, Seabins function as water intake devices that draw water inward using low-energy pumps. As water passes through, floating debris, oil residues, microplastics, and even some suspended particles are trapped inside the device's netting system. This process mimics a natural whirlpool, preventing contaminants from drifting into open water bodies. The adaptability of Seabins to different aquatic environments and their ease of installation have led to their adoption in various coastal cities worldwide, where they provide crucial filtration services in high-traffic zones vulnerable to pollution. The Collec'Thor system offers a robust solution designed for the most heavily polluted and challenging river environments. This high-capacity waste collection unit operates continuously, 24 hours a day, removing massive quantities of surface waste that traditional methods struggle to handle. Engineered to withstand strong currents and debris-heavy waters, Collec'Thor is deployed in industrial zones and urban river stretches prone to significant contamination. Its capacity to extract large volumes of waste ensures that less pollution travels downstream, mitigating environmental and public health risks. Recent installations in Southeast Asian waterways demonstrate the system's efficacy in reducing plastic and other pollutants during monsoon seasons, when river pollution typically spikes. Together, these four technologies form a comprehensive, multi-tiered approach to river cleaning that addresses different types of pollution and environmental challenges. While each system excels in its particular niche, their combined deployment creates an interconnected network capable of targeting plastic pollution throughout a river's course, from upstream sources to estuaries. Experts emphasise the significance of moving away from heavy machinery and static nets, which can cause collateral damage to river ecosystems and are limited in reach. Instead, the focus has shifted towards solutions that work in harmony with natural water dynamics and biodiversity. Environmental engineers highlight that intelligent design in waste management systems, such as bubble curtains or autonomous drones, reduces disturbance to aquatic life while enhancing efficiency. Despite their promise, challenges remain. Scaling these technologies to cover entire river systems requires substantial investment and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including governments, environmental groups, and private enterprises. Maintenance and proper waste disposal infrastructure are critical to ensure collected materials do not re-enter waterways or cause secondary pollution. Additionally, the effectiveness of each technology depends on local conditions such as river size, flow rates, and pollution types, necessitating customised deployment strategies.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Campaign launched to help fund Leeds litter-eating drone
A fundraising campaign has been launched to pay for a litter-eating drone which has been helping to clean up the waterways in has helped remove the equivalent of more than 3,000 plastic bottles from the water around Leeds Dock, as well as shoes, umbrellas, footballs and a Waterfront Group (LWG), which introduced the drone in June 2024, is now hoping to raise £24,000 to maintain its weekly clean-up chair Paul Ellison said: "The WasteShark has already done a fantastic job in removing a significant amount of rubbish from our waterways, improving the environment and helping wildlife." He said the drone, which is capable of scooping up 160 litres (50kg) of rubbish at a time, had "become a popular sight and gained a cult following" in the city. "We're hopeful the people and businesses of Leeds will want to show their support for the WasteShark to continue its positive mission," he said."WasteShark is unique to our city and to help it keep delivering we need to raise funds, as without them this simple, effective and sustainable way of cleaning our rivers and canals will be lost."LWG said £24,000 would allow it to maintain the drone, while £34,000 would mean it could operate on two days a week rather than one, allowing it to collect an additional 4,500 litres of rubbish per objects are too large for it to "swallow" the WasteShark is also capable of manoeuvring them to the side to be removed manually. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
