Mr. Trash Wheel facts for kids

Mr. Trash Wheel (2016)

Mr. Trash Wheel, also known as the Inner Harbor Trash Wheel, is a special machine that helps clean up our planet. It's like a giant floating vacuum cleaner for the water! This amazing invention removes trash from the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Trash Wheel uses two types of clean energy to work: the power of moving water and solar power. It floats on the water, collecting garbage with a conveyor belt. All the collected trash then goes into a dumpster right on the vessel.

How Mr. Trash Wheel Works

Mr. Trash Wheel is designed to catch garbage before it can spread further into the ocean. Most of the trash it collects comes from city streets. Rain washes this litter into storm drains, which then flow into rivers and eventually into the Inner Harbor.

Powering the Wheel

The main way Mr. Trash Wheel moves and collects trash is by using the natural flow of the Jones Falls river. The river's current pushes a large water wheel, which powers the machine.

When the river's current is not strong enough, Mr. Trash Wheel switches to its backup power. It uses solar panels mounted on its roof. These panels capture energy from the sun, making sure the trash wheel can keep working even on calm days.

What It Collects

This clever machine collects all sorts of trash. It picks up plastic bottles, foam containers, plastic bags, and many other items that pollute the water. By removing this garbage, Mr. Trash Wheel helps keep the harbor clean and safe for wildlife.

Why Mr. Trash Wheel is Important

Keeping our waterways clean is super important for the environment. Trash in the water can harm animals like fish and birds. It can also make our rivers and harbors look dirty and unhealthy.

Mr. Trash Wheel helps protect the environment by stopping thousands of pounds of trash from reaching the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean. It's a great example of how we can use smart technology to solve big environmental problems.

Images for kids

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  Mr. Trash Wheel

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  Solar panels are mounted atop the roof of Mr. Trash Wheel.

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  View of the vessel