The City of Tampa is proud to celebrate the second anniversary of the Litter Skimmer, an essential asset in the city's ongoing efforts to keep its waterways clean. Since its launch, the Litter Skimmer has removed an impressive 72,500 pounds of trash from Tampa's waterways, surpassing the weight of a fully loaded 20-foot shipping container.
Impactful Operations
The Litter Skimmer has proven to be an effective tool in preserving the natural beauty of Tampa's waterways and the safety of marine wildlife. The 43-foot boat operates ten hours a day, four days a week. It skims the Hillsborough River, Davis Islands, and the Bay, collecting floating debris before it can harm the environment. The vessel collected over 26,500 pounds of garbage in its first year alone.
Built at an initial cost of $566,400, the Litter Skimmer has advanced features, including two cockpit operator booths, adjustable collection flares that open like wings to capture debris, and a storage conveyor that dewaters and transfers the trash efficiently.
Notable Finds and Everyday Waste
The Litter Skimmer has encountered a wide variety of litter, from common items like plastic bags and drinking bottles to more unusual objects. One of the most surprising finds was a 12-foot buoy bumper that had come off a large ship. Later, it was donated to the American Victory Ship and Museum, a World War II vessel docked near the Florida Aquarium. Additionally, the Litter Skimmer has retrieved an unexpected amount of indoor and lawn furniture from the waterways.
All collected trash is taken to the City of Tampa's Waste to Energy Facility, where it is converted into electrical energy, giving new life to the waste.
A Broader Environmental Strategy
In 2022, the City of Tampa launched the “Keep It Clean Tampa” campaign, a citywide effort to educate residents on proper litter disposal to prevent trash from entering the waterways. This initiative brought together multiple city departments, including the Department of Solid Waste, which leads the Litter Skimmer Program, and the Storm Water Department, which has installed baffle boxes to capture litter before it reaches the waterways. Street sweepers also play a vital role in keeping Tampa streets clean.
Mayor Jane Castor’s Call to Action
“Tampa's waterways are an invaluable resource, and we are committed to protecting them,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “The Litter Skimmer has made a significant impact over the past two years, but keeping our city clean is a team effort. I encourage all residents to do their part by properly disposing of their trash and participating in our cleanup efforts."
For more information on litter prevention and cleanup efforts, including a litter hotline, visit Keep It Clean, Tampa.