Glean: Waste Extractor from Waterways

It is estimated that between 1.15 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean every year by way of river systems. As a result, there are 5 major garbage patches that exist in the world’s oceans. This ballooning problem is causing a dire situation affecting all of the earth, yet the ocean’s wildlife is most at risk of this grave situation. As some marine life are vital members of the food chain, humans too are also at risk over a long-term scenario of ingesting traces of the chemicals left behind from the waste. Current solutions for extracting waste from water come in many forms and have varied capacities for the waste they collect. The aim of this thesis is to provide a solution that improves upon inefficiencies within the current devices and process. By implementing evidence-based design, a device will be developed with the intention to extract waste from some of the world’s most polluted rivers. The end goal is an effective solution in extracting waste from waterways, and to lessen the burden our human presence has left on the oceans.