Every company has a place where its story begins. For us here at Osprey Initiative, that place is Mobile, Alabama.
Long before Osprey expanded our litter prevention and recycling programs across the country and internationally, our mission took shape along our hometown’s waterways. What began with the installation of the first-ever Litter Gitter in the Maple Street Tributary of One Mile Creek has grown into one of the most comprehensive litter prevention efforts in the region. This has all been made possible by a long-standing partnership with the City of Mobile.
Over the past seven years, we have removed more than 110 tons (221,000 pounds) of material from Mobile’s waterways, including approximately 152,000 pounds of floating litter, 46,000 pounds of debris, and 23,000 pounds of recyclable materials. Every bottle, can, and piece of floating trash collected represents one fewer item making its way downstream into Mobile Bay.
As Mobile’s program has grown, so has Osprey’s approach to litter prevention. Rather than relying on a single solution, the team uses multiple strategies to identify sources, intercept litter before it reaches the waterways, and remove legacy debris.
Today, we maintain 24 litter collection devices throughout the Dog River and Three Mile Creek watersheds, including 13 Litter Gitters, 11 Litter Booms, and one Bandalong. Beyond the waterways themselves, 114 stormwater interceptors and 98 monitored road crossings help stop litter before it ever reaches the water. Our tactical cleanup crews also work throughout both watersheds, navigating 92 management zones by boat, canoe, and on foot to remove litter and identify accumulation hotspots.
What started with a field crew of just two people has grown into a dedicated field team of 11, reflecting the continued expansion of the program and our commitment to protecting our hometown waterways. These efforts not only improve environmental health and community quality of life but also provide valuable data about how litter moves through Mobile’s waterways. By tracking the types of materials collected, where they are found, and signs of how long they have been in the environment, we can better identify problem areas, understand litter sources, and guide future prevention efforts.
“As we take pride in the impact the Osprey team continues to make, we always think about the initial installation of the first Litter Gitter in the Maple Street Tributary,” said Don Bates, Founder and President of Osprey Initiative. “A little ingenuity and initiative combined with support and vision from the City of Mobile, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, and local community groups set our company on its path. We are proud to call Mobile, Alabama, our home and headquarters as we expand across the country.”
Every piece of litter collected, mile paddled, and item recycled reflects the same commitment that began with a single Litter Gitter nearly a decade ago: to bridge the gap between intent and action in the sustainability world by bringing and implementing realistic solutions to our clients, partners, and communities.