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‘Mr. Trash Wheel’ and His Baltimore Family Are Helping Keep Our Waters Clean

By Madeleine Muzdakis on June 22, 2021

Mr. Trash Wheel Cleans Up Plastic Waste in Baltimore Harbor

Mr. Trash Wheel in Baltimore Harbor. (Photo: Stock Photos from SMEREKA/Shutterstock)

Do you remember Mr. Trash Wheel? The goofy-looking trash collector debuted in 2014 as the environmental guardian of Baltimore, Maryland's busy harbor. The floating trash interceptor was the brainchild of John Kellett and was supported by the Water Partnership of Baltimore. Over the last several years, Mr. Trash Wheel has been joined by other kooky “family members” who help collect many tons of plastic and other refuse from the waters—helping keep the coastline clean for all.

Mr. Trash Wheel—best known for his googly eyes—boasts inner workings that are just as impressive as his outward cuteness. The gloating barge has a water wheel which is churned by the current of the river flowing into the harbor. This moves a conveyor belt and rakes, which grab and move trash from the river to a collection area within Mr. Trash Wheel. Since 2014, the interceptor has collected three million pounds of trash to be removed from the waterways. The design which originated as a napkin sketch by Kellett has become a fixture of Baltimore environmentalism.

Today, Mr. Trash Wheel is joined by Professor Trash Wheel, who launched in 2016 and according to her bio loves women in STEM and dislikes patriarchy. In 2018, the non-binary Captain Trash Wheel joined the family. Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West will soon complete the Trash Wheel family. Among her dislikes are the micro-plastics and the Salem Witch Trials. Next time you are in Baltimore, be sure to check out these heroic guardians of the harbor.