Ballona Creek Interceptor Prevented Trash from Entering Los Angeles Beaches

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Interceptor deployed at the Balona Creek by the Ocean Cleanup team in partnership with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District has prevented several tonnes of trash from reaching Los Angeles beaches. It has reportedly captured around 229,000 pounds of large particle trash and waste, before landing in the Pacific Ocean.

The Interceptor 007 was deployed in October 2022 as a two-year pilot program. At the time of installation, the Ballona Creek was estimated to emit around 28,800 pounds of plastic waste per year. The 229,000 pounds of trash captured so far includes several categories of waste including old mattresses.

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If found successful, the Ocean Cleanup had promised to gift the interceptor to the partners, so as to continue intercepting plastic from reaching the ocean.

The Ocean Cleanup has 15 interceptors in place around the world, including locations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Jamaica and Thailand, which happens to feature among worst polluters of world’s oceans, as per studies. The interceptors are completely solar-powered and are capable of extracting plastic autonomously.

With the Ballona Creek Interceptor able to successfully keep pollution off of Venice and Santa Monica beaches, the team is currently planning to deploy similar Interceptors in other problem spots along Southern California.