1.The Battle Against River Plastic in Latin America

Rivers in Latin America, from the Amazon basin to the urban waterways of São Paulo and Bogotá, are on the front lines of the global plastic pollution crisis. For municipal governments and environmental agencies, the challenge is twofold: preventing floating debris from reaching the ocean and protecting critical infrastructure (like bridges and dams) from clogging.

Effectively managing river waste requires more than just manual cleanup; it demands Heavy-Duty River Trash Containment Booms engineered to withstand the unique hydrological conditions of the LATAM region—heavy seasonal rains and strong currents.

2. Why Standard Oil Booms Fail in River Applications

Many municipalities make the mistake of deploying standard, lightweight oil booms for trash control. These often fail because:

• Drag Force: Rivers flow; oil booms have solid skirts that block water, creating immense drag that can snap anchor lines.
• Debris Weight: Unlike oil, wet debris (logs, hyacinths, heavy plastics) creates significant physical pressure.
• Durability: Constant friction from floating wood and debris requires abrasion-resistant materials, not standard PVC film.

3. JXY’s Municipal Solution: The High-Flow Debris Boom

At JXY, we design trash booms specifically for dynamic water environments. Our solutions for LATAM municipalities focus on Flow-Through Technology.

• Mesh Skirt Design: Instead of a solid skirt, we use heavy-duty marine-grade netting or steel mesh. This allows water to pass through freely while capturing plastics, bottles, and vegetation, significantly reducing drag on the anchoring system.
• High-Tensile Strength: Reinforced with a top tension cable (steel or high-modulus polyethylene) and a heavy ballast chain at the bottom, our booms can withstand the surge of debris during the rainy season.
• Solid Floats: We use rot-molded hard plastic floats or varying density foam logs that cannot be punctured by sharp debris or floating timber.

4. Customization for Local Conditions (Amazon to Urban Canals)

No two rivers are the same. A calm canal in Buenos Aires needs a different specification than a fast-flowing tributary in the Andes. JXY offers customization:

• Skirt Depth: From 30cm for shallow creeks to 2 meters for deep rivers.
• Mesh Size: Fine mesh for small plastics (micro-plastics prevention) or coarse grids for large logs and hyacinths.
• Materials: UV-resistant materials designed to last 5+ years under the tropical South American sun.

5. Case Applications: Protecting Infrastructure

Our debris booms are not just for pollution control; they are critical assets for infrastructure protection:

• Hydroelectric Dams: Preventing turbines from clogging.
• Water Intake Channels: Ensuring clean water flow for municipal treatment plants.
• Tourism Zones: Keeping beaches and riverfront promenades free of unsightly trash.

Clean rivers mean clean oceans. Partner with JXY to implement a sustainable, heavy-duty solution for your municipality’s plastic waste challenge.

Contact our Engineering Team for a Proposal!