How ‘Littatraps’ may help clean up Rochester

A team from Rochester Institute of Technology, in partnership with New York Sea Grant, is addressing plastic pollution in Rochester, N.Y., by studying how litter enters the sewer system and ultimately impacts the environment and water sources. The project involves the use of “Littatraps,” devices installed in sewer drains designed to catch debris larger than half a centimeter. This initiative aims to collect concrete data on the types and sources of debris entering the sewers. The research is being conducted at two sites at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, where the collected debris is analyzed back on campus. This effort not only seeks to remove plastic from local water bodies but also to engage the community in environmental cleanup efforts, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility towards their surroundings. After a year and a half of deploying nine traps across commercial and residential areas, the team is poised to apply their findings towards practical solutions to reduce marine debris.

Source: Rochester First