Clean-Up Rivers captures waste before it reaches the ocean

The plastic pollution that chokes our oceans has an often overlooked starting point: the sewers and stormwater systems of our cities. Stéphane David, founder of Clean-Up Rivers, has transformed the traditional approach by developing capture systems that are installed directly in these urban systems. His premise is compelling: intercept waste before it begins its journey of impurities into rivers and seas, achieving 80% success rates in retaining plastics and other pollutants.

More than 50 municipalities in the south of France have already adopted this technology, demonstrating that large-scale solutions do not always require complex infrastructures. The business model includes installation, maintenance and regular collection, eliminating the operational barriers that traditionally discourage local administrations. According to UN data, 80% of marine debris comes from land, making this preventive approach a key strategy to protect our aquatic ecosystems. aquatic ecosystems at the root of the problem.

Technology that transforms sewers into guardians of the environment

Clean-Up Rivers has designed three specific models to suit different urban needs and types of contaminants. The UCD Filet uses high-strength polyethylene nets capable of trapping containers, bags and cans with proven efficiency. The UCD Filtre, made from recycled X-TEX fibers, goes beyond physical capture: it absorbs up to 20 times its weight in hydrocarbons and chemical contaminants. Finally, the UCD Caisson is integrated into drain facades for faster and cleaner collection from top or side accesses.

The versatility of the capture system responds to an intelligent design that prioritizes both environmental efficiency and economic viability. In the event of heavy rainfall, the units are automatically released when the pressure exceeds 8 kilograms per square decimeter, preventing urban flooding without compromising their filtering function. This capture system invention, born out of common sense after citizen clean-up days in Canet-en-Roussillon, represents a paradigm shift from repairing damage to preventing it, freeing up municipal resources and visually educating the population about the real impact of the waste we generate every day.

Source: Clean-Up Rivers

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