Tampa's Litter Skimmer Trash Boat Wins Downtown Tampa Partnership Urban Excellence Award

Tampa's Little Skimmer

City of Tampa Department of Solid Waste staff receives Urban Excellence Award in the Public Sector Project Category.

City of Tampa's "Litter Skimmer" trash boat took home its first award since its launch last Summer. The vessel received the Urban Excellence Award in the Public Sector Project category. The awards ceremony hosted by the Downtown Tampa Partnership took place at the Straz Center Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The Urban Excellence Awards celebrates businesses, organizations, individuals, events and projects that have made significant contributions toward creating a unique, vibrant and diverse downtown environment – and have made a lasting, positive impact on Downtown Tampa.Each year an awards jury representing a cross-section of Downtown constituencies selects award winners honoring their leadership, innovation, hard work, talent and community spirit.The Litter Skimmer continues to make a lasting impression on the Downtown Tampa community.The boat operates eight hours a day, four days per week, picking up floating trash along the Hillsborough River, Davis Islands, and the Bay. It has collected more than 23,000 pounds of floating debris since its inception in the Summer of 2022.

Through the Keep it Clean, Tampa initiative, the City of Tampa is committed to keeping the community trash-free by using the Litter Skimmer.The joint initiative by Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Council, and multiple City of Tampa departments educate residents on the impacts of litter and how to get involved in keeping our beautiful city clean.The Litter Skimmer is transforming Tampa's tomorrow by enhancing the quality of life for wildlife and fostering a more sustainable and livable city.

The Litter Skimmer is also an educational tool to enhance waste reduction literacy.

You can learn more about Tampa's Litter Skimmer here.