The Litterboom Project

The Litterboom Project is an initiative by Parley, that works on a solution to stop the flow of marine plastic waste.

Approximately  90 percent of the plastic that causes marine pollution comes from river systems. Therefore the project aims to work on the preventive solutions by targeting the river systems instead of dealing with only oceans.

The project stops the flow of plastic in the river systems and other local water sources using large, sealed, and robust pipes known as Litterbooms. The pipes are anchored across the river and it acts as a catchment for all surface-level plastics, which mostly consist of HDPE and PET. Each site consists of two to three Litterbooms. Keeping the storm and heavy rain in mind, the pipes are designed in a manner that under strain it only breaks from one side, preventing the loss of entire Litterboom when rivers rise. 

The preventive measure is set up strategically in a way that the team can collect most of the waste, sort, and send the plastic off for recycling. The project has successfully prevented 250 000 kgs of plastic from reaching the ocean in the past 2 years. This is done by engaging people from the local community. 

It has partnered with Parley, Tufbag, Wildlands, Astore Keymak, Fine Metals, and Cape Bulk Bags.

The project is currently operating in five River systems around Durban, as well as 2 major river systems in Cape Town and aims to develop sustainable models that can be used throughout South Africa as well as Globally in the future.

It benefits the communities, industries, government, and environment.