Trash-E – Vancouver, British Columbia
As of 2023, more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. Only 10 river systems contribute to 90% of the trash flowing into the oceans. However, the primary source of the trash in rivers is local waterways where organizations like the Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans volunteer their scuba diving skills to clean up our marine environment. These manual tasks can often be dangerous as scuba divers can face increased risks of decompression sickness, drowning, and hyperthermia the longer they dive. Our team—TRASH-E—aims to develop a semi-autonomous robot that allows a user to locate and mark where trash is located, autonomously move the robot to the corresponding location, and haul the trash to shore. Through this project, we aim to aid in international sustainability efforts by helping divers locate and pick up trash faster and safer.
| Team Grade Level: | Collegiate |
| Team Experience Level: | Intermediate |
| STEM Focus: | Robotics |
| UN Sustainability Focus: |
Clean Water and Sanitation
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Life Below Water
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