Ocean cleanup installs largest trash barrier on Motagua river to protect Guatemala’s ecosystems

The NGO Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed the largest trash barrier to date on the Motagua River. This major effort aims to capture and remove vast amounts of garbage before it reaches the sea.

In a significant step toward environmental recovery, the NGO Ocean Cleanup, working alongside the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed a robust trash barrier interceptor on the Motagua River, located in eastern Guatemala. The Motagua River, which divides Guatemala and Honduras, has long suffered from pollution caused by solid waste, threatening local ecosystems and coastal waters.

Installed in the town of El Quetzalito at the river’s mouth, the new trash barrier — known as Interceptor 021 — stretches 158 meters in length with a draft of approximately one meter, making it the largest interceptor deployed by the NGO to date. The system is designed to capture floating trash carried by the river, preventing it from entering the sea.

Once collected, the trash is removed from the river by a combination of heavy machinery and volunteer efforts. It is then transported for sorting and proper waste management, reducing the environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystems.

This project builds on a previous successful installation in 2023 on the Las Vacas River, a tributary connecting Guatemala City to the Motagua River. That barrier has already prevented over 10 million kilograms of trash from flowing into the Gulf of Honduras, according to Ocean Cleanup’s reports.

Volunteers working along the Motagua River have noticed significant improvements. Cesar Dubon, a local volunteer, described the change: “Before, you couldn’t even walk on the beach because of the garbage; sometimes you would sink up to your waist while walking. Now, you can even run and have a soccer match.”

Ingrid Morales, a representative from Guatemala’s Environment Ministry, emphasized the importance of the combined efforts by Ocean Cleanup and local communities. “Our work, alongside the communities along the river and the trash barriers, brings hope for restoring the affected environments,” she said.

The installation of this trash barrier interceptor represents a major step forward in addressing pollution in Central America, offering a practical solution to reduce riverine waste and protect marine and coastal ecosystems for future generations.

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