LA Rivers Get Trash Interceptors Before 2028 Olympics

Two rivers running through Los Angeles County are about to get a massive cleanup that could save hundreds of tons of trash from polluting the Pacific Ocean each year.

Officials announced this week that "trash interceptors" will be installed in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers before the 2028 Olympics. These automated devices act like massive trash collectors, scooping up water bottles, candy wrappers, and even shopping carts before they reach coastal waters.

For Seal Beach City Councilmember Joe Kalmick, this moment feels surreal. He's watched garbage wash into his beach community from the San Gabriel River for over 50 years, always wondering if anyone could fix it.

"The problem always seemed too overwhelming and solutions out of reach," he said. Three years ago, he discovered the Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based nonprofit that builds these interceptors worldwide, and started rallying support from local leaders.

The devices work like this: when rain is forecast, divers attach a barrier across the creek, creating a funnel. As trash flows downstream, a conveyor belt on the floating vessel captures it and dumps it into bins that hold up to 20,000 pounds of garbage.

One interceptor already operates in Ballona Creek between Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey, proving the concept works in Southern California's unique river systems.

The Ripple Effect

The project matters for more than just cleaner beaches. About 100 green sea turtles live near the mouth of the San Gabriel River, and trash frequently entangles them.

Last year, a turtle named Porkchop lost a flipper after fishing line cut off circulation. Another 200-pound turtle called Meatloaf is currently receiving rehabilitation at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for a similar injury.

The interceptors could be lifesaving for these gentle giants. Project planners are working closely with the aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to place the devices where they'll help turtles rather than harm them.

"At every step of the way, these sea turtles are being considered," said James Patterson, who oversees Ocean Cleanup operations in LA. The team is reviewing turtle movement patterns and habitat data to guide their installation plan.

The projects still face hurdles, including securing permits from multiple government agencies. But feasibility studies are complete, and the Ocean Cleanup has committed to both rivers.

By the time Olympic visitors arrive in 2028, LA's rivers could tell a very different story about the city's commitment to its oceans and marine life.