Partnering for a Cleaner Port of Long Beach

Rhea-AI Summary

Marathon Pipe Line (MPL), part of Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment MPLX, has installed two electric trash skimmers at its dock in Terminal 2 at the Port of Long Beach, California. These devices continuously collect debris from the water surface, gathering over 500 pounds of trash every two weeks. This initiative significantly improves upon MPL's previous annual volunteer cleanup efforts.

The skimmers operate 24/7, processing more than 300 gallons of water per minute. The Port of Long Beach has agreed to handle trash disposal at a reduced cost. This collaboration demonstrates Marathon Petroleum's commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity protection, complementing their existing support for International Bird Rescue in California.

Positive

• Installation of two electric trash skimmers at Port of Long Beach, collecting 500 pounds of trash bi-weekly
• Collaboration with Port of Long Beach for reduced-cost trash disposal
• Continuous 24/7 operation of skimmers, processing over 300 gallons of water per minute
• Enhancement of existing sustainability initiatives in California

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 16, 2024 / Marathon Petroleum Corporation

• The Port of Long Beach, California, is supporting an effort to reduce debris in the port with devices that collect trash from the surface of the water.

• Marathon Pipe Line installed two electric trash skimmers that continuously draw in water and trap debris.

• The skimmers are collecting roughly 500 pounds of trash every two weeks, and the port has agreed to handle disposal.

The Port of Long Beach, California, is collaborating with a tenant on a 24/7 approach to collecting debris in the water. Marathon Pipe Line (MPL), a component of Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment, MPLX, recently installed two electric trash skimmers at its dock in Terminal 2, and the port agreed to pick up the trash for disposal at a reduced cost.

"The skimmers are attached to the dock. They float and go up and down with the tide, using a system similar to a swimming pool skimmer to suck in trash," said Marathon Petroleum Advanced Emergency Preparedness Professional Court Hemerick.

The skimmers have taken MPL's trash collection efforts at the port to new heights. In the past, employee volunteers would conduct an annual trash cleanup around the dock in Terminal 2. Teams would spend hours manually gathering debris, accumulating as much as 500 pounds of trash during each year's effort. The skimmers are now gathering more than 500 pounds every two weeks.

Each device has a 120-volt motor that allows for continuous operation, moving more than 300 gallons of water a minute. Floating debris is retained in a bin that is six-feet wide and four-feet deep.

"By helping to make the port cleaner, we know we are eliminating potential hazards for aquatic birds in particular. This illustrates our company's commitment to environmental stewardship and making investments that help protect biodiversity."

"The skimmers can each hold roughly 120 to 130 pounds of trash. Currently, employee volunteers from MPL engineering, maintenance and operations, as well as our emergency preparedness group, are helping manage this effort," Hemerick said. "It takes one to two people to scoop out the trash into bags, using nets, and then dispose of the bags in a dumpster."

The skimmers build on MPL's existing sustainability initiatives in California, which include financial support for International Bird Rescue. This global conservation nonprofit has care centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco that help respond to wildlife emergencies, providing day-to-day care for aquatic birds that are injured, sick, abused or orphaned.

"Reducing debris in the water goes hand-in-hand with wildlife conservation," said MPL Region Manager Tim Hayes. "By helping to make the port cleaner, we know we are eliminating potential hazards for aquatic birds in particular. This illustrates our company's commitment to environmental stewardship and making investments that help protect biodiversity."

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SOURCE: Marathon Petroleum Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What environmental initiative has Marathon Petroleum (MPC) implemented at the Port of Long Beach?

Marathon Pipe Line, part of Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment MPLX, has installed two electric trash skimmers at its dock in Terminal 2 at the Port of Long Beach, California. These devices continuously collect debris from the water surface, gathering over 500 pounds of trash every two weeks.

How much debris do Marathon Petroleum's (MPC) new trash skimmers collect at the Port of Long Beach?

The electric trash skimmers installed by Marathon Pipe Line at the Port of Long Beach collect more than 500 pounds of trash every two weeks, significantly improving upon their previous annual volunteer cleanup efforts.

How does Marathon Petroleum's (MPC) trash collection initiative at Port of Long Beach compare to their previous efforts?

The new electric trash skimmers collect over 500 pounds of trash every two weeks, which is a significant improvement over Marathon Pipe Line's previous annual volunteer cleanup efforts that accumulated about 500 pounds of trash per year.

What is the capacity of Marathon Petroleum's (MPC) trash skimmers at the Port of Long Beach?

Each trash skimmer installed by Marathon Pipe Line at the Port of Long Beach can hold approximately 120 to 130 pounds of trash. They have a bin that is six-feet wide and four-feet deep.