Baltimore’s Waterways Get Five New Litter Traps

Baltimore’s Waterways Get Five New Litter Traps

In July, five new Bandalong Litter Traps were installed across key waterways in Baltimore, Maryland, marking a major step forward in protecting the Chesapeake Bay from plastic pollution and floating debris.

The project included:

• 1 Bandalong 920 – designed for larger waterways with higher flow rates.
• 1 Bandalong Bandit – ideal for smaller creeks and tributaries.
• 3 Bandalong 320s – perfect for mid-sized channels and stormwater inlets.

Together, these systems form a powerful network of passive, round-the-clock protection for Baltimore’s streams and rivers. Using only the natural current, each trap captures floating litter before it can flow downstream—no motors, no electricity, just reliable engineering and smart design.

This large-scale effort was the result of strong collaboration and shared commitment:

• Geosyntec Consultants led oversight of this Superfund restoration project, ensuring environmental and engineering excellence.
• Straughan Environmental, Inc. specified the Bandalong systems, selecting the best models to meet site conditions and waterway needs.
• ENTACT, LLC executed the installations on the ground, coordinating logistics and ensuring safe, precise placement.
• And the Storm Water Systems installation crew brought the project to life with their trademark attention to detail and commitment to performance.

Within weeks of installation, the traps began intercepting a visible amount of floating litter—bottles, packaging, and debris that would have otherwise continued toward the Chesapeake Bay.

“Each trap represents a proactive investment in clean water,” said a spokesperson for Storm Water Systems. “We’re proud to see cities like Baltimore leading the way with solutions that work with nature, not against it.”

By combining innovation with teamwork, this project demonstrates how partnerships between engineering firms, environmental experts, and local stakeholders can create lasting impact. Baltimore’s waterways—and the Chesapeake Bay beyond—are already cleaner for it.

‍