Waste clearance on an industrial scale

Keeping British canals and rivers clear is an ongoing, major operation. It is estimated that over half a million pieces of plastic end up in the network every year, before getting washed out into the ocean – posing a danger to sea life.

In a bid to remove rubbish, The Rothen Group’s (TRG) state-of-the-art harvester is capable of collecting weed, plastic and waste in the water. This ensures that any items collected are not only split into recyclable and non-recyclable materials, but are also removed from the passageway to protect wildlife and underwater organisms.

Charlotte Lea, an ecologist at TRG, said: “Our equipment helps to improve the condition of canals via the removal of duck weed and waste, which poses a threat to biodiversity and presents a challenge to navigation. If weeds are left to flourish these can become a foot thick in places, creating blockages and preventing access to other areas, as well as causing damage to propellers.

“It’s important to remember that anywhere weeds can flourish or waste accumulates will require some form of maintenance, and continued warm summers along with plastic pollution makes this need more pressing.”