Trash Trout

Trash Trouts™ are purpose built stormwater litter traps. These traps sit in urban creeks and streams keeping manmade trash from entering main waterways. These devices are built to withstand the rigors of flashy rain events, yet passive enough not to harm the local fauna. Roadside littering accounts for approximately 75% of the trash in our nations waterways. Each time it rains, trash is funneled through our storm drain systems directly into our creeks. No filters or other mechanisms were in place to keep the trash from entering our waterways.

Once the trash has entered the water, it will begin the process of photodegradation. Whereby the petroleum based products such as plastics begin to break into smaller pieces known as microplastics. These tiny pieces of trash are in some instances consumed by wildlife with the majority of this debris will go on a journey that will take it through several states and rivers before finally ending up in the Gulf of Mexico.

Download the Trash Trout™ program brochure and find out how you can keep litter from reaching your river.

Brochure

Help us keep these litter traps in the water with your financial support. More traps are on the way!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Trash Trout exacerbate flooding in a waterway?
A: This device is designed to rise as the water rises. With regular maintenance, the trap will not become a flooding hazard.

Q: Will the Trash Trout catch critters living in our waterway?
A: No, the device was designed without a top or a bottom to allow to keep creatures from becoming trapped.

Q: How often do you need to clean it out?
A: In an urban waterway, you can count on trash being captured each time you have a significant rain event. Clean ups vary depending on rain amounts, it could be weekly or monthly.

Q: What do you do with the plant debris that is captured along with the trash?
A: Once the manmade litter is safely removed, we open the rear gate and the plant debris is allowed to continue its journey down your waterway.

Q: Can I get a Trash Trout for our waterway?
A: Absolutely, fill out our contact form and we will get back to you soon.