Meet Scoop

IFCD 3’s NEW trash collection SYSTEM

IFCD 3 collects about 40 tons of trash from our waterways and their surrounding areas each year – that’s equivalent to 23 mid-size cars! All of that trash must be cleared from the canals to avoid clogging our flood control system. Scoop helps to efficiently clear our waterways by collecting water bottles, packaging and other trash.

Launched in the fall of 2023, Scoop ‘swims’ along the surface of the 5.5 miles of waterways throughout Valley Ranch, collecting trash along its route. Scoop enables our hard-working staff to reprioritize their time on maintenance projects and running the pump station, rather than the mundane task of picking trash out of the water.

FAQ

I haven’t seen Scoop in a while. Where is it?

It takes multiple days for Scoop to complete its full trash collection course. Depending on your location within Valley Ranch, you may only see Scoop every few days as it runs its course. During severe storms, or anytime our sluice gates are open, we prioritize Scoop’s safety by keeping it stored inside where it is safe from environmental impacts.

Will Scoop replace IFCD 3 staff?

No, Scoop will not replace our staff. As Scoop removes trash from Valley Ranch’s waterways, IFCD 3 staff will be able to focus their time on more strategic and laborious maintenance, such as waterway repairs, water level monitoring and pump refurbishing.

Scoop looks High-End. Was it truly necessary?

We appreciate every resident and business owner in Valley Ranch who has made a conscious effort to minimize the amount of trash in our waterways, but we determined that the level of trash in our waterways posed a much larger challenge than an education campaign could solve. That’s why we decided to invest in a more effective, long-term solution: Scoop.

What happens if Scoop goes missing?

Thanks to modern technology, we have multiple ways to keep track of Scoop’s location. Like the water level in our waterways, our team is constantly monitoring Scoop’s location, battery level and overall well-being.

Does Scoop collect turtles and fish?

Scoop’s design makes it extremely unlikely for wildlife to be collected in Scoop’s waste bin. As Scoop moves across the surface of the water, it creates a small current that causes turtles, fish and critters to scurry away before Scoop’s trash collection bin reaches the animal’s location.

Fun Facts About Scoop

  • Scoop got its name after IFCD 3 hosted a naming contest with Valley Ranch residents. While we refer to it as Scoop, the device is officially named WasteShark by its manufacturer: RanMarine.

  • As of 2023, there are 10 WasteSharks operating worldwide, with only one in the U.S. (Scoop!)

  • Similar to a robotic vacuum cleaner, Scoop uses GPS and data communication technologies to collect waste from our waterways, while also reporting data on water quality.

  • Scoop weighs 110 lbs and can store up to 1,110 lbs in trash at one time.