LITTER HOT SPOT – LOADING ZONE
Stormwater360 approached Farro Fresh to install a trial LittaTrap™ in a loading zone storm drain to monitor how much plastic and litter could be stopped from entering the stormwater system. The LittaTrap™ was installed at the Mairangi Bay store and was maintained and monitored over six months.
CATCHMENT
The LittaTrap™ was placed outside the service entrance to the supermarket where goods are received and dispatched. The catchment area was approx. 500m².
RESULTS
The final results yielded a total of 312 pieces of rubbish captured. The litter counted was typical of the environment in which the LittaTrap™ was installed, including soft and hard plastics, glass, cigarettes, metals and wood.
The largest type of pollutant counted was plastic food wrapping (83 pieces), followed by soft and hard plastic, and polystyrene. Without the LittaTrap™ installed, these pieces of litter would flow straight into the stormwater system and out to sea.
The LittaTrap™ also captured over 12kgs of organic matter, mainly consisting of leaves and food waste. Organic matter that makes it into our waterways leaches nitrogen and phosphorus – both harmful nutrients to our waterways.
MAINTENANCE
The LittaTrap™ was maintained and monitored on average every six weeks for a six month period.