New Litter Trap To Stop Debris from Reaching Great South Bay

BABYLON, NY — The Town of Babylon is making strides to help the environment.

Save the Great South Bay, a local environmental non-profit organization, recently teamed up with the Town of Babylon’s department of environmental control to install a Bandalong Bandit Litter Trap along the Carlls River to passively capture floating litter and debris before it flows into the bay.

The litter trap was donated by Gerogia-based Stormwater Systems after outreach by organization member Walt Meshenberg. The trap passively collects floatables using only the natural current. It also features a patented tidal gate that prevents trash from exiting the trap without netting or fencing, making it safe for all aquatic wildlife.

“This is another stormwater strategy for collecting floatables in our watershed system, protecting our creeks which all lead to the Great South Bay. The problem really is littering", said Rich Groh, chief environmental analyst for the town.

Save the Great South Bay creek defender Todd Shaw, who oversees the Carlls River, and Janet Marie Soley, debris data collection specialist, will monitor the station to identify the types and amount of trash collected. The data will be entered into the Ocean Conservancy’s international database via the Clean Swell app for use in policy-making decisions. The trap will be maintained with support from the town’s department of public works, which will help empty the device on a regular basis.

“Our municipal partners in the Town of Babylon are to be commended for their commitment to protecting the Great South Bay,” said Executive Director Robyn Silvestri. “Every piece of trash picked up is one less piece entering the bay.”

To learn more about Save the Great Bay, click here.