Computerized custodians work to “Keep Tahoe Blue” after big holiday crowds
There’s a new tool in the effort to reduce litter on Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches this Fourth of July weekend.
“We are going to try and hit as many beaches as possible,” said Chris Joseph, a spokesman for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, an environmental group that helps fund the project with another Tahoe non-profit, ECO-CLEAN Solutions. After canvassing 72,000 square feet between June and October on 11 beaches — including Kings Beach, Sand Harbor, Camp Richardson and Tallac Historic Site — the BeBot collected 4,497 pieces of litter. Of that. 45% was plastic pieces, 11% plastic and metal bottle caps, 11% straws, 9% cigarette butts, 8% broken glass, 6% bottle caps, and the rest miscellaneous debris.
The device also has been used to clean beaches around the Great Lakes and in Florida, including around St. Petersburg and Clearwater. In Florida, an environmental group running the machine agreed to keep the robot at than 10 feet away from marked sea turtle nests after local authorities raised questions about its impacts.
“The fact we have to deploy these highlights that users of the beaches aren’t being diligent enough in removing their trash,” he said. “The fact these robots can do it is great. But we all need to do more.” “Many of these pieces of microplastic are near invisible,” he said. “What effect they have on organisms is a big area of research worldwide. It’s not just a Tahoe problem. It’s a worldwide oceans problem. It’s an area of concern.”
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