Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa is celebrating the second anniversary of the Litter Skimmer, a crucial asset in its efforts to maintain clean waterways. Since its inception, the Litter Skimmer has removed 72,500 pounds of trash from Tampa's waterways, surpassing the weight of a fully loaded 20-foot shipping container.

The Litter Skimmer operates ten hours a day, four days a week, skimming the Hillsborough River, Davis Islands, and the Bay to collect floating debris. In its first year alone, it collected over 26,500 pounds of garbage. Built at an initial cost of $566,400, the 43-foot boat features two cockpit operator booths and adjustable collection flares that open like wings to capture debris. It also includes a storage conveyor that dewaters and transfers trash efficiently.

The variety of litter collected ranges from common items like plastic bags and drinking bottles to more unusual objects. One notable find was a 12-foot buoy bumper from a large ship, which was later donated to the American Victory Ship and Museum. The vessel has also retrieved significant amounts of indoor and lawn furniture.

All collected trash is taken to Tampa's Waste to Energy Facility for conversion into electrical energy.

In 2022, Tampa launched the “Keep It Clean Tampa” campaign to educate residents on proper litter disposal. This initiative involves multiple city departments including the Department of Solid Waste and the Storm Water Department. Street sweepers also contribute by keeping streets clean.

“Tampa's waterways are an invaluable resource, and we are committed to protecting them,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “The Litter Skimmer has made a significant impact over the past two years, but keeping our city clean is a team effort. I encourage all residents to do their part by properly disposing of their trash and participating in our cleanup efforts."

For more information on litter prevention and cleanup efforts, visit Keep It Clean Tampa.

Contact:

306 East Jackson Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 274-8211