Project Overview
As part of collaborative research with the University of Toronto Trash Team, LittaTrap™ systems were deployed within an industrial stormwater environment to assess the scale of pre-production plastic pellet (“nurdle”) loss entering stormwater infrastructure.
The project highlighted the role of at-source stormwater treatment in intercepting pollutants before they enter downstream networks and receiving environments.
The Challenge
Plastic pellets used in manufacturing and transport can be unintentionally released during handling and storage operations. Due to their small size and buoyant properties, pellets can rapidly migrate through conventional drainage systems and contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways.
The study aimed to better understand:
- The scale of pellet loss within industrial stormwater systems
- The effectiveness of catch basin filtration technologies
- Opportunities for source control and pollution prevention
The Solution
LittaTrap™ inlet filtration systems were installed within the stormwater network to capture gross pollutants and pre-production plastic pellets conveyed during storm events.
Developed from New Zealand’s first patented catch pit insert system, the LittaTrap™ was selected due to its:
- Modular retrofit capability
- High pollutant capture capacity
- Practical maintenance access
- Suitability for industrial stormwater environments
The Results
Over the course of a year, 13 x LittaTraps
deployed across the properties of five plastic companies in Toronto prevented nearly 5.5 million plastic pellets from entering the local watershed.
The project demonstrated the significant pollutant loading that can occur within industrial stormwater systems and reinforced the importance of at-source treatment approaches for microplastic mitigation.
Key Outcomes
- Significant reduction in pellet discharge to downstream environments
- Improved visibility of pollutant pathways within stormwater systems
- Practical maintenance and monitoring access
- Support for industrial pollution prevention initiatives and stormwater compliance objectives
Applications
LittaTrap™ systems are now used globally across:
- Industrial facilities
- Municipal stormwater networks
- Transport infrastructure
- Commercial developments
- Plastic manufacturing and logistics sites