The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Cox Communications and Storm Water Systems came together on Wednesday, June 5th in Providence to install the Woonasquatucket River’s own Bandalong Bandit™ Litter Trap. The Bandalong Bandit™ helps remove trash and debris from waterways by guiding stormwater runoff into a collection area where the trash is collected and can be removed before entering the river. The Litter trap was assembled on site and installed into the river by Cox Volunteers and WRWC River Rangers lead by Gary Hopkins & Mark Kirves from Storm Water Systems. The team then spent the rest of the afternoon picking up litter and debris both in and around the river.
Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos as well as Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast General Manager Joseph Maggiacomo attended to express their support and excitement for the Litter Trap. Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast committed to provide recycling support for bottles and cans caught by the trap.
For more than a decade, Cox’s sustainability program, Cox Conserves, has been instrumental in driving meaningful progress toward environmental change. The program’s primary focus areas include energy conservation, water conservation, waste diversion and recycling, and community engagement.
“As a company deeply committed to environmental stewardship, we take pride in our ongoing efforts to lead the way through initiatives like our Cox Conserves program,” stated Ross L. Nelson, Cox market vice president in Rhode Island. “The staggering volume of debris washed into our rivers via stormwater runoff underscores the urgency of our actions. We are grateful for the partnership with WRWC, as together, installing devices like this represents a tangible step towards safeguarding our waterways and preserving our environment.”
“The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is so grateful to partner with Cox Communications to install the Bandit on the River,” said Alicia Lehrer, Executive Director of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. “This is such a great way for us to prevent trash from getting into Narragansett Bay and to help us keep the river clean. We are also grateful to Coca Cola Northeast for partnering with us to take the recovered bottles and cans for recycling.”
With the collaborative efforts of more than a dozen dedicated Cox volunteers and WRWC employees, the trap was installed at the stormwater runoff culvert located near Eagle Square in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber-powered networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced managed IT and cloud services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
About Storm Water Systems
Over 15 years ago, the company was formed to provide a solution to floating litter in our waterways. With over 40 years of experience in the plastic industry, the owners were compelled to act. In 2007, using the company’s manufacturing and construction capabilities, the Bandalong Litter Trap and StormX were introduced in North America.
In The News
ABC6 | Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Cox install litter trap by Gino DeAngelis