Garbage catchers help clean Polish rivers

Snow melts, flows into rivers, and with it comes trash. If it is not deliberately stopped, it will likely end up in the sea. In the case of the Kraków river Prądnik, a different approach was taken. Newly installed garbage catchers are helping to clean the water. This is already the second time that the Regional Water Management Authority of Polish Waters has undertaken such measures.

How do garbage catchers work?

Garbage catchers are physical barriers installed by the Regional Water Management Authority, in cooperation with the municipalities of Kraków, Sułoszowa, Skała, Zielonki and Wielka Wieś. They stop larger waste floating on the surface of the river while not hindering the flow of water, fish or amphibians.

The municipalities and their units are responsible for collecting and managing the waste trapped by the catchers. In Kraków, this is handled by the Municipal Greenery Authority and the Municipal Cleaning Company.

Garbage catchers perform their basic function very well, but they also play a role in educating residents. As the director of the Regional Water Management Authority, Wojciech Kozak, says: The catchers are devices that prove effective. We hope that those installed on the river make communities aware of how serious the problem of river littering is and, as a result, help build greater environmental awareness in society.

Last year, garbage catchers were installed on another Kraków river, the Białucha. Continuing this initiative and expanding it to the Prądnik shows that this method of collecting waste from the water surface has proven effective and can serve as inspiration elsewhere.

Volunteers already in action: river clean-up initiatives have begun

Garbage catchers in rivers help address the problem of water pollution, but only locally. On a broader scale, volunteers are active, taking part in river clean-up actions.

The largest initiative of this kind is Operation Clean River. In previous years, a total of 100,000 volunteers took part in clean-ups, collecting 2,000 tons of waste. This year’s edition started on March 1. It is still possible to sign up and register teams. Organizers provide gloves, garbage bags, and also supply promotional materials. Volunteers can register at https://operacjarzeka.pl/.

In the coming days, the fifth edition of the Clean Odra campaign will begin. The clean-up will last until the end of April. Anyone interested who finds a section of the Odra requiring action can join via the contact form at least a week before the planned activity date. They will then receive materials and necessary guidance. Organizers can also count on reimbursement of costs up to PLN 500. Current information can be found at https://stowarzyszeniewywrotka.pl/akcja-czysta-odra/.

WWF also takes care of the cleanliness of Polish rivers. The organization runs the WWF River Guardians program, which has engaged 140 volunteers across Poland. Last year, they regularly monitored water conditions and also organized 10 clean-up actions along the Biała Przemsza, Brda, Prądnik, Rudawa and Vistula rivers.