A coalition of city, county, state and private partners has announced plans to deploy trash-intercepting devices in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers. The initiative aims to prevent hundreds of tons of garbage from entering the Pacific Ocean by the 2028 Olympics.
The rivers in Los Angeles County are frequently cluttered with debris, including shopping carts, candy wrappers, and abandoned water bottles. During rare rain events, this waste is swept into coastal communities and out to sea, impacting ecosystems shared by surfers, sea lions, and fish.
A Proven Model for Pollution Control
The project leverages the expertise of The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based nonprofit. The organization has already seen success in the region with an interceptor named “007,” installed in Ballona Creek in 2022.
Since its installation, the 007 device has collected more than 200 tons of trash. When precipitation is forecast, divers attach a barrier to create a funnel, directing debris onto a conveyor belt that dumps waste into six bins with a total capacity of approximately 20,000 pounds.
Protecting Local Wildlife
Stakeholders are prioritizing the protection of roughly 100 green sea turtles that live in a brackish area near the mouth of the San Gabriel River. These animals are highly susceptible to trash entanglement.
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has treated several injured turtles, including Porkchop, who lost a flipper to a fishing line, and Meatloaf, a 200-plus-pound turtle with a similar injury. James Patterson of The Ocean Cleanup stated that the nonprofit is reviewing research from the aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure interceptors are placed without causing harm.
Logistics and Financial Investment
Each interceptor is estimated to cost between $5 million and $8 million upfront, with annual operating costs ranging from $3 million to $4 million. Los Angeles County has agreed to pay for the ongoing operations.
Because of the high volume of trash in the LA and San Gabriel rivers, the nonprofit is exploring designs that could transfer waste directly to the shore to increase extraction speed.
The Road to 2028
While feasibility studies are complete, officials noted that the project is not yet at the finish line. Challenges remain, including the necessity of obtaining permits from various government agencies.
The push for cleaner waterways coincides with Long Beach preparing to host Olympic events such as sailing, rowing, and open-water swimming. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the goal of presenting a “cleaner, healthier, more beautiful coastline” to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the trash interceptor project?
The goal is to prevent hundreds of tons of garbage from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers from reaching the Pacific Ocean by the 2028 Olympics.
How does the “007” interceptor in Ballona Creek function?
Divers attach a barrier during rain to funnel debris into a conveyor belt, which then deposits the trash into six bins. Once the bins reach a 20,000-pound capacity, a boat hauls the waste to the harbor to be removed by crane.
Who is funding the operation of these devices?
According to public works officials, Los Angeles County will pay for the operations, which are estimated to cost between $3 million and $4 million per year.
Do you think similar river-cleanup initiatives should be prioritized in other coastal cities ahead of major international events?
