Global River Cleanup & Recycling System
Stopping plastic pollution before it reaches the oceans
Concept by Richard Voldnes
Plastic pollution enters the oceans mainly through rivers. Around 1000 rivers contribute most of the plastic waste reaching the oceans. Instead of cleaning plastic once it spreads across the ocean, River Shield focuses on intercepting pollution directly in rivers.
River Shield is a global environmental system designed to stop plastic pollution before it reaches the oceans. The system combines river interception technology, recycling infrastructure, robotic cleanup, and community participation.
Robotic machines and local teams remove garbage already trapped along riverbanks, vegetation and shallow areas.
Floating barriers guide plastic waste using the river current toward controlled collection zones.
A floating recycling hub receives waste, sorts materials, compresses plastic and prepares it for recycling.
Regional recycling facilities process recovered materials and convert them into reusable resources.
River Shield aims to create a global network of river cleanup systems. By stopping pollution at its source, the project can dramatically reduce plastic entering the oceans every year while also creating recycling infrastructure and local jobs.