Allen Samuels Designs Device to Rid Oceans of Plastic

Stamps Professor and Dean Emeritus Allen Samuels has proposed a simple, low tech floating device that could help remove the 9 billion tons of plastic that is placed in the ocean each year. 

“I am not seeking any reward. I am simply offering my design in hope that it can be further refined, fabricated and tested,” said Samuels. 

This ​“C” shaped, foam device can be scaled up or down. The version shown here is 100 yards across and is 16 feet high in section. A collection net is located in the center and a collection tray is located at the front. When towed through a debris area, plastic would be collected and contained in a net located within the ​“C”. While plastic is captured and contained fish escape through the bottom of the net. Once full, each net can be removed from the unit and placed on a barge or processing ship or transported to shore. A new net would then be fastened in place ready for another pass.