New Bandalong Bandits Expand Litter Interception in Southern Arizona

Efforts to keep trash out of waterways in Southern Arizona continue to grow with the installation of two Bandalong Bandit™ litter traps in Tucson earlier this year.

Installed in January, the new traps are designed to capture floating debris carried by stormwater before it reaches the Santa Cruz River, helping protect local ecosystems and downstream waterways.

The project was made possible through a partnership between Storm Water Systems, the Sonoran Institute, and Cox Enterprises. Storm Water Systems supplied the Bandalong Bandit litter traps, the Sonoran Institute purchased the systems, and Cox Enterprises sponsored the traps and their installation.

Together, the partners are expanding regional efforts to intercept litter at the source—before it can travel further through Arizona’s waterways.

Building on Previous Work in Southern Arizona

The Tucson installation builds on an existing collaboration between Storm Water Systems and the Sonoran Institute.

Previously, the organizations partnered on a litter interception project in Nogales, Arizona, just south of Tucson. That project demonstrated the effectiveness of installing trash capture systems directly within stormwater channels where debris is often carried during rain events.

With the addition of the two Bandalong Bandits in Tucson, the region is continuing to develop a network of solutions aimed at preventing debris from entering rivers and spreading throughout the watershed.

How the Bandalong Bandit Works

The Bandalong Bandit™ is designed specifically for smaller waterways, including creeks, tributaries, and stormwater channels.

Floating booms guide debris toward a central collection point where trash is captured while allowing water to flow freely downstream. The system passively operates during storm events, capturing items such as plastic bottles, food packaging, and other floating litter carried by runoff.

By intercepting debris before it enters rivers, litter traps like the Bandalong Bandit help communities manage pollution at the source.

Community Partners Celebrate the Installation

On March 5, community leaders and project partners gathered in Tucson to celebrate the installation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Gary Hopkins of Storm Water Systems attended the event alongside representatives from the City of Tucson, the Sonoran Institute, Cox Enterprises, and other local stakeholders committed to improving water quality in the region.

Local leaders emphasized that projects like this represent an important step forward in maintaining the health of the Santa Cruz River and surrounding watershed.

As John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water, noted during the event:

“Not necessarily a first step but a new step in the community maintaining a clean Santa Cruz River.”

Continued Momentum for Cleaner Waterways

City leaders and partners are already looking ahead to additional opportunities to reduce litter entering local waterways. Plans are underway to install another litter trap near Reid Park, further strengthening Tucson’s efforts to intercept debris before it reaches the river system.

Projects like these demonstrate how partnerships between nonprofits, municipalities, private sponsors, and technology providers can help communities address stormwater pollution in practical and effective ways.

By expanding litter interception efforts across Southern Arizona, these installations are helping protect the Santa Cruz River while building momentum for cleaner waterways throughout the region.

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