The REMEDIES Innovations - River Cleaning System

An innovative, semi-permanent solution designed to tackle plastic pollution in rivers

Related REMEDIES Pillar: Collection and Valorization

Partner(s)/Owner(s): River Cleaning

Other Partners Involved: University of Maribor – Sustainability Assessment

Made for: Municipalities, Water Management/River basin authorities, remediation authorities, Environmental services companies marinas, the tourism sector, and packaging manufacturers

What is the River Cleaning System?

The River Cleaning System is an innovative, semi-permanent solution designed to tackle plastic pollution in rivers, which account for approximately 85% of the total plastic litter discharged into seas and oceans each year. This technology uses spinning modules to efficiently collect riverine litter while avoiding clogging and stagnation that can deteriorate water quality and break down plastics into microplastics.

Unlike traditional collection methods that require significant operational resources and manual intervention, the River Cleaning System is fully autonomous and eco-friendly. It integrates seamlessly with river activities and requires minimal maintenance. The system aims to optimize collection while supporting valorization pathways by transforming the collected waste into valuable resources, aligning with the REMEDIES project’s goals of establishing local circular economies.

The River Cleaning System is set to advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 8 by the end of the REMEDIES project in 2026, ensuring a fully operational and scalable solution for riverine plastic pollution management.

Impact: What Challenges Does This Technology Address?

The River Cleaning System directly addresses the challenge of plastic pollution in riverine environments by offering an efficient and automated solution for litter collection. The key challenges it targets include:

Pollution Prevention: Capturing litter before it reaches the oceans, helping to prevent the degradation of ecosystems and marine life.
Operational Efficiency: Utilizing a self-sustaining energy mechanism powered by river currents, eliminating the need for external power sources and reducing operational costs.
Scalability and Adaptability: Its modular design allows it to be deployed across different river sizes and conditions without obstructing natural water flow.
Valorization Opportunities: By collecting waste in a controlled manner, the system facilitates sorting and recycling processes, contributing to the circular economy.

This technology is a game-changer in addressing riverine plastic pollution and supports local authorities and organizations in achieving sustainability goals. It has been tested at REMEDIES Durres & Tirana demo site, in Albania. It aligns with the pillars of the REMEDIES program — Collection and Valorisation

Unique Value Proposition: What Makes This Technology Stand Out?

The River Cleaning System distinguishes itself from conventional river clean-up solutions through several key features and technical advancements:

Autonomous Operation: Powered by the natural current, the system operates without the need for external energy, making it cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. It can run either passively or on clean energy produced by the system itself.
Adaptability: The floating buoys and modular truss system can adjust to varying river flow conditions, ensuring continuous litter collection without clogging or interruption.
Minimal Environmental Impact: Unlike conventional booms and nets, the system allows free movement of aquatic life while effectively capturing waste.
Technical Specifications:
- Movable, non-permanent floating buoys powered by submerged propellers.
- A metal truss structure that tilts to allow vessel passage.
- Magnetic sensors for automatic opening and closure.
- A conveyor belt system for waste collection at the shore.

These innovative features make the River Cleaning System a flexible and efficient tool for managing river pollution at scale.

User: Who Can Benefit from This Technology?

The River Cleaning System caters to a wide range of stakeholders seeking effective solutions for river pollution management. Municipalities can deploy the system to meet regulatory requirements and improve local water quality, while marinas and the tourism sector can benefit from cleaner waterways that enhance visitor experiences. Packaging manufacturers can leverage the collected waste for recycling and circular economy initiatives, creating opportunities for plastic valorization and corporate social responsibility efforts. Furthermore, environmental services providers can acquire River Cleaning systems to integrate their portfolio of solutions

Through these diverse applications, the River Cleaning System contributes to cleaner water bodies and sustainable development goals.

Exploitation Pathway: How Will This Technology Be Put Into Action?

The commercialization and deployment strategy for the River Cleaning System includes:

Product Leasing: Offering the system through leasing models to municipalities and industry partners to minimize upfront costs.
ESG Accountability readiness: Companies committed to increase their positive impact in their area can support River Cleaning installation, generating environmental and social value while increasing their reputation through a data-based approach.
Maintenance and Advisory Services: Ensuring long-term operational success through technical support and optimization recommendations.
Market Expansion: Collaborating with distributors to license the technology regionally and globally for maximum impact.

Through these strategic pathways, the River Cleaning System aims to revolutionize river clean-up efforts while driving the transition toward a circular economy.

Discover More

Learn more about the River Cleaning, a leading REMEDIES program partner, here.

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