International Trash Trap Network

Connecting Local Solutions to Tackle Global Plastic Pollution

The Problem

Globally, the contamination of plastic waste in marine, freshwater and coastal ecosystems is increasing. It is estimated that roughly 30 million tonnes of plastic waste entered aquatic ecosystems in 2020. If we continue business as usual, this number may increase as much as three-fold by 2030. Reducing plastic production and improving waste management are vital to tackle global plastic pollution, but cleanup is also an important part of the solution. To make a measurable difference now and into the future, we must increase cleanup efforts by orders of magnitude.

The Solution

Plastic cleanup technologies or ‘trash traps’ can be an effective tool for reducing plastic waste in our aquatic ecosystems. They amplify efforts of community cleanups, capture trash around the clock and even target small plastic pieces, including microplastics that are often too challenging to collect by hand. Trash traps can be used as monitoring tools, collecting data to inform local source-reduction by understanding the waste items polluting our waterways and coastlines. They can also be a unique centerpiece for local education and outreach, raising awareness of plastic pollution, inspiring imagination in the community and gaining attention from the media. 

The International Trash Trap Network (ITTN) is a collaborative initiative led by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto (U of T) Trash Team. It unites local groups around the world using trash traps to significantly increase global cleanup efforts. The ITTN’s aim is not only to remove plastic waste from the environment but also to engage communities, gather data to quantify our impact, and inform and motivate upstream solutions. By combining our efforts, we can better measure our collective work to clean up plastic waste worldwide and amplify the impact of local programs.

Our Impact

Data collected by local groups in the ITTN is reported as part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup™. See below for the latest report. 

Explore previous reports here:

• 2022 ITTN Report
• 2021 ITTN Report

Joining the Network

For information about joining the ITTN, contact [email protected]. You can also connect with other groups in the network on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and join our mailing list to receive network updates and information on other trash trapping news and resources.

ITTN Resources

The ITTN has developed a set of free resources for trash trap users that focus on three topics: project planning and implementation, data collection and education and outreach.

Project Planning and Implementation

Trash Trapping Project Checklist

The Trash Trapping Project Checklist is a step-by-step guide for new trash trapping programs, from identifying suitable locations for device installation, to considering local stakeholders to involve in the short and long term. We encourage groups to follow these steps for an impactful and sustainable trash trapping program.

Visual Audit

To get the most out of your trash trap it is best to target an area with the greatest plastic accumulation. We have developed a simple ‘Visual Audit’ method to assess your local waterway or coastline and use data from the field to inform a suitable location.

• Visual Audit Protocol
• Visual Audit Datasheet
• Visual Audit Data Template

Device Directory

To inform decision making on which trash trap is right for your scenario, the ITTN has compiled a device directory of trash traps used around the world in a variety of scales, technologies, and costs, including some low-cost and do-it-yourself examples. The directory is updated regularly, so please email us at [email protected] to receive the most up-to-date version.

Harmonized Data Collection

Data collection allows you to measure and expand your impact by measuring the efficacy of your trash trap and informing local upstream solutions to prevent plastic pollution. When you share data with the ITTN, you contribute to the global International Coastal Cleanup™ database. This public data can be used for scientific research, education and to inform policies and management actions from local to global. We have developed two harmonized data collection protocols (simple and detailed). Which protocol you use depends on time, people power and data collection goals. If you are using alternative methods for data collection but still record the weight and/or the count and categories of trash collected, you can still share your data and join the network.

• Simple Data Collection Protocol – Document the weight of trash (i.e., plastics and other anthropogenic litter) collected by your trash trap
• Detailed Data Collection Protocol – Document the weight, count and categories of trash (i.e., plastics and other anthropogenic debris) collected by your trash trap.
  

For groups trapping trash along coastlines, an adapted version of the protocol can be found below. 

• Coastline Detailed Data Collection Protocol – Document the weight, count and categories of trash (i.e., plastics and other anthropogenic debris) collected by your trash trap when used to clean up coastlines.

Data Reporting

• Clean Swell App: The quickest and easiest method for data reporting. This free app will automatically upload data to the International Coastal Cleanup™ database.

• Datasheets: Email us your completed datasheets to share data with the network.
  • Simple Datasheet (PDF to print and use in the field)
  • Detailed Datasheet (PDF to print and use in the field)
  • Data Template (Excel file to download and fill in. For simple data reporting, only fill in relevant columns.)

­­­Education and Outreach

These resources assist groups wanting to utilize their trash traps for local education and outreach and include an educator’s guide with instructions for carrying out several group activities, as well as a workbook for participants. The activities have been designed for participants aged between 8-12 but can be adapted for different age groups and audiences.

• Trash Trap Activities – Educator’s Guide
• Trash Trap Activity Workbook

To inform the local community about your trash trap and its contribution to the ITTN, we have a flyer that can be printed and shared at local events. We also have a poster that can be positioned nearby your trash trapping site. To share about your work, these resources can be edited to add your organizational and collaborator logos.

• ITTN Flyer
• ITTN Poster

Virtual Workshops

Our virtual workshops provide the tools necessary to inspire impactful and sustainable trash trapping programs. They connect local stakeholders and build capacity within specific regions for trapping trash as part of the solution to the global issue of plastic pollution. Within our workshops we share about trash trapping, the ITTN, and what makes a successful trash trapping project with speakers sharing their local experiences from different regions of the world. 

Recordings from previous workshops can be found on the U of T Trash Team YouTube channel.