Trash Free Waters
A collaborative effort to remove and reduce marine debris in Tampa Bay
Trash Free Waters (TFW) is an EPA initiative designed to reduce the amount of trash entering our rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks by preventing waste at its source, deploying devices to remove debris from the water, and investing in research that improves our understanding of how trash enters our waterways in the first place.
Through this work, participants in the TFW project aided in the development of effective solutions that reduce trash pollution and minimize its associated environmental and public health risks.
Since 2019, TBEP has been implementing the TFW initiative in the Tampa Bay watershed alongside 5 partner organizations. Together, we’ve deployed and collected information from 12 litter collection devices in Pinellas, Manatee, and Hillsborough Counties.
The goal of the project was to inform a data-driven, Litter Management Plan Guidance Document for use by stakeholders in Tampa Bay and the broader Gulf of Mexico region. The plan provides specific and actionable steps, as well as case studies, to help coastal communities reduce marine debris at its source through partnerships among individuals, community-based organizations and private businesses.
The Team
Marine-based litter is a complex issue that requires an in-depth understanding of how trash moves throughout a watershed. Our partners have spent years studying and capturing trash both locally and throughout the nation. When they aren’t in the field collecting data, they’re busy engaging their respective communities in litter removal initiatives.
The Devices
Litter Gitter
Developed by Osprey Initiative, the Litter Gitter involves a boom system similar to that of a WaterGoat, except that it funnels debris into a large steel box at the center. This collection box reduces the amount of trash that escapes the boom during periods of high flow, typically after a large rain event.
WaterGoat
You might have seen this device deployed throughout the Tampa Bay area before. Simple booms are attached to both sides of a river bank or stormwater outfall pipe by strong stakes. They are highly adaptable devices and make for great community adoption projects.
SeaBin
Seabins require open-water areas and are better suited for marinas where boom systems aren’t as easy to install. Seabins collect floating debris by pumping water into the device. Newer editions include filters capable of collecting microplastics and fibers.
The Data
The most effective way to reduce marine debris is by stopping it at its source. To understand the sources of this pollution, we create a litter profile by cataloging the trash collected during every device cleanup event using the EPA’s Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol (ETAP). ETAP is a protocol that provides a standardized method for collecting and assessing litter. By recording what kinds of trash we collect, its condition, and where it was found, we can better understand the source and origins of our region’s trash.
Debris collected are separated into 5 categories.
Plastic
Paper
Glass
Metal
Other
Explore the Data Collected at Specific Locations Yourself!
We developed a data visualization page to understand what the primary litter types were at particular locations in the Tampa Bay watershed. Not surprisingly, plastic-based items dominated most of the collections. Based on these results, reducing and eliminating the use of plastics, including single-use plastics, should be a primary strategy to control this pervasive litter type in the Tampa Bay watershed.
Below is a snapshot of the data collected. You can explore and manipulate the data more through the data visualization page link.
This plot shows the type of litter and debris counted at each site and event. The summaries show the total count divided by the number of events at each site, with colors showing the magnitude. Note that reported counts at a site are from a subset of the total bags collected at a site and date if more than two bags were collected.
A Litter Management Plan Template for Gulf of Mexico Communities
These data helped to inform the creation of a Litter Management Plan Template for use by other Gulf of Mexico communities. The plan outlines some simple steps and lessons learned to help individuals, community-based organizations and private companies (restaurants, coastal businesses, etc.) contribute to marine debris reduction efforts throughout the Gulf. It also serves as a guide and shareable resource for community-based organizations interested in collecting marine debris data using the ETAP methodology.
While you’re here … consider how you can personally take steps to reduce marine debris in your community. Click the link below that best describes the relevant pointers of interest to you.
Tips & Challenges for Individuals
Like so many environmental issues, it can be hard to feel ambitious when you know the problem is much larger than yourself. Still, individual actions combine to inspire collective change. Start by taking a close look at the items you buy, where they end up, and what alternatives you might like to try out to reduce the amount of trash you personally create. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Volunteer at a local cleanup event
- Our Program and its partners frequently host marine debris removal events all throughout the watershed. Below are a few organizations to check out.
- Unpackage your Life
- Reducing the amount of packaging in your life isn’t easy, but these 10 steps are a good start. Learn More
- Buy with a product’s end of life in mind
- As consumers, we have the greatest ability to change how our products are packaged. Try to avoid purchasing single-use plastics and buy products with the material’s end of life in mind. Ask yourself: can this container be reused for something else? Can this container decompose or be composted?
- The 1-bag a Month Challenge
- For one month, try keeping your home’s trash output to a single bag. Learn More
- Better Recycling
- Recycling is tricky. Make sure you’re doing it right by reviewing Waste Management’s Recycling Guide.
- Support businesses and companies that are reducing the production of single-use items
- Find a brand, restaurant, or organization making a difference and support them.
Tips & Challenges for Businesses
Bars, restaurants, outdoor event coordinators–you all play a massive role in the solution to our marine debris issue.
- Sponsor a local cleanup or plan a staff retreat
- Show your dedication to a clean, litter-free environment by supporting the folks out there cleaning up. Alternatively, grab your co-workers and get your hands dirty. Whatever you do, just make sure it’s followed by an honest commitment to reducing your own waste.
- More tips coming soon!