Design and construction of a floating river trash trap using recycled plastic bottles.

Abstract

Plastic pollution in rivers is a growing environmental problem that poses threat to aquatic life and human health. Rivers and waterways serve as conduits for plastic waste which is carried downstream and accumulates in river banks, waterways and ocean. Plastic debris in rivers can harm aquatic life by entangling and suffocating them. Also, plastic waste in rivers can release toxic chemicals into the river threatening the life of the whole ecosystem. Some of the measures undertaken include improving waste management of the infrastructure and practices, promoting public awareness and education on the impacts of the plastic pollution and implementing the policies and regulations to limit the production of single- use plastics. In Uganda we have experienced the rapid increase in plastic waste disposal in recent years. With plastic being the major contributor to pollution in rivers and waterways. This problem is rampant especially in urban areas like Mbarara, where in adequate waste infrastructure and waste disposal practices have led to plastics end up in rivers. This project therefore aims to design and construct a floating river trash trap using recycled plastic bottles. This trap will be designed to trap and capture floating debris from rivers. This project involves use of recycled plastic bottles as the primary construction material for the trash trap. The project will contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in the environment while providing a low-cost solution to river pollution. The success of the project will be evaluated through physical testing of the traps effectiveness in trapping and retaining debris.