Allseas’ latest waste collection system Catchy 2 accumulates plastics and other trash from the Nieuwe Maas River before it flows out into the North Sea. Located under Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge, the system operates 24/7, collecting both floating and submerged waste.
Catchy 2 works entirely on tide and current, and thanks to its robust design is not limited by weather conditions. The system was officially launched on Thursday 19 May. Soprano Isabella Scholte performed an aria on the quayside next to the system, which lured litter to Catchy 2 like a siren from Greek mythology.
‘Working every day at sea, we are committed to the effort to clean our oceans by developing systems to collect waste in rivers and waterways before it can spread to our oceans,’ says Edward Heerema, President and CEO of Allseas at the ceremony. ‘With Catchy 2 at this central location in Rotterdam, we are raising awareness that reducing plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans requires a collective approach if they are to succeed.’
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The Rotterdam Vice Mayor for Sustainability Arno Bonte welcomes the new plastic catcher with open arms. ‘Rotterdam is committed to making the North Sea plastic-free, together with residents and businesses. That starts with using less plastic and preventing plastic from ending up in the water. The final link in the chain are plastic catchers like Catchy 2, which collect plastics in our rivers before it ends up in the sea.’
How Catchy 2 works
The system comprises three key components: two floating booms, a collection cage and a floating frame. The booms guide waste floating on and below the surface into the collection cage. The collection cage is held in place by the floating frame. When full, the cage is emptied and the waste recycled. Collected plastic is used for the production of concrete blocks for quay protection.
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Efforts to clean our rivers and oceans require a collective approach if they are to succeed. The development and deployment of Catchy 2 has received funding from the EU’s LIFE programme under LIFE17 ENV/NL/000339 and was made possible thanks to a financial contribution from the Municipality of Rotterdam and contributions from a group of valued partners.
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