Beach cleaning robots are rolling out this summer in some Ontario provincial parks
This summer, Ontario parks will see the debut of a beach-cleaning robot called the BeBot, a fully electric, remotely operated machine designed to remove plastic, glass, metal, and other debris from sand. Launched by environmental group Pollution Probe in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the BeBot helps prevent plastic waste from entering lakes, where it can break down into harmful microplastics. The robot can clean up to 3,000 square metres per hour for eight hours, collecting the equivalent of 19 bowling balls of waste in a single use. Starting at Sibbald Point Provincial Park on Lake Simcoe, the BeBot will travel to beaches along Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario throughout the summer. Beyond cleanup, the robot raises public awareness about plastic pollution and encourages waste reduction. Since 2021, Ontario has contributed nearly $1 million to support Pollution Probe’s Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative, which now includes over 160 plastic-capturing technologies. Learn more about this innovation.
Image source: Unsplash