Street Clutter – Who Ya Gonna Call? Street Sweepers!

Ever wondered where street debris end up and who (or what) cleans them? Two words: street sweepers. Get to know the machines behind your streets' daily unclogging project.

Street sweepers go as far back as the Industrial Revolution. Its inventor, however, remains a point of debate. Some researchers say that the first fully-mechanized street sweeper was invented in 1849 by C.S. Bishop. However, this fact is contested by the claim that C.B. Brookes, inventor of the paper puncher, was the first one to introduce the vehicle in 1896.

Solution for CA’s Polluted Waterways

Water might be one of the world’s most widely available resources, but creating safe, potable water isn’t always free nor endlessly accessible, which explains the shortage problem plaguing populous and sprawling states like California. What exactly can state government and locals do to help prevent this problem from escalating any further?

Water pollution is caused by many factors; one of these is the accumulation of waste or junk collected from streets and gutters. When these roadway pollutants enter the waterways, they eventually reach creeks, beaches, bays and rivers. The result can be deadly not only to the marine habitat, but also to the drinking water system.

One of the most effective ways to eliminate road trash and debris such as leaves, paper, or other particles found in gutters, is street sweeping. This method improves air quality and prevents pollutants from entering stormwater systems and streams.

A street sweeper works by using forced air and a high-powered vacuum unit to collect particles or dirt. When high pressure air is blown onto the road, the vacuum lifts the particles and sends them into the machine's hopper. These machines are also recommended for general street maintenance to improve the quality of stormwater runoff.