PortBin TrashTrawl for easy river waste collection

Rivers and urban waterways carry large amounts of floating waste from stormwater, public areas and infrastructure, making them a major source of plastic pollution entering the ocean. Intercepting waste at this stage is critical, before it disperses into marine environments where removal becomes far more difficult and costly.

Increasing regulatory pressure, public awareness and ESG requirements are driving demand for visible and measurable solutions.

PortBin TrashTrawl is a simple, robust system designed to intercept floating waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean. Based on oil spill response technology, the system uses floating booms to guide waste into a collection net. The river current provides the energy needed to move waste into the system, enabling continuous and emission-free operation.

The system is modular and can be adapted to different river widths and conditions. It does not interfere with boat traffic and can be installed in urban environments with minimal infrastructure.

Collected waste is easily removed from the net on a daily or weekly basis depending on conditions. In this way, PortBin TrashTrawl effectively protects urban waterfronts and prevents waste from entering fjords and oceans.

PortBin TrashTrawl offers a range of benefits, including:

• Stopping plastic before it reaches the ocean
• Using natural river flow – no external power is required
• Protecting wildlife in rivers and coastal ecosystems
• Low operational cost and simple maintenance
• Improved urban environments and public spaces
• Strengthened ESG reporting and environmental visibility

The global focus on plastic pollution is increasing rapidly, supported by international agreements such as the Basel Convention. Cities, municipalities and environmental agencies are actively seeking solutions that provide measurable impact and visible results.

PortBin TrashTrawl complements other SpillTech solutions such as PortBin Tide and PortBin ShoreCleaner, forming a toolbox for marine and river waste interception.

SpillTech is actively expanding into Europe, North America and Asia, where demand for scalable and cost-effective river solutions is growing.