In the battle against plastic pollution, a Tunisian green tech startup is targeting a critical frontline: the urban gutter. Wayout, a company specializing in sustainable infrastructure, is testing its innovative low-cost steel filtration system, the “Zigofiltre,” in the Tunis suburb of Ettahrir. The mission is straightforward: to intercept plastic waste before it can choke city drains and ultimately flow into the Mediterranean Sea.
Ten of these durable steel units, each with an estimated lifespan of 15 years, have been installed across the Cité Ettahrir neighborhood. Their function is akin to a surgical net for the city’s veins. Placed within stormwater drains, the Zigofilter acts as a barrier, capturing plastic debris and solid waste directly at the source. This simple yet effective intervention addresses a cascade of urban ills.
Targeting a Triple Threat
The deployment tackles an interconnected set of challenges facing modern cities, particularly in coastal regions:
- Halting Marine Pollution: By trapping plastics in the drainage system, the filters prevent them from becoming marine litter, a growing ecological crisis for the Mediterranean.
- Reducing Urban Flooding: Clogged drains are a primary cause of street flooding during heavy rains. By keeping waste from blocking pipes, the system facilitates better water evacuation.
- Improving Urban Infrastructure: The technology offers a low-maintenance, long-term upgrade to existing water management networks, focusing on prevention rather than costly cleanup.
“We are applying a source-level solution,” explained a representative from Wayout, highlighting the company’s philosophy. “It’s about integrating smart, sustainable technology into the very fabric of urban infrastructure to manage waste where it is created.”
How the “Zigofiltre” Works
The principle is deliberately low-tech for maximum durability and affordability. The robust metal filter is fitted directly into existing storm drain inlets (manholes). As rainwater sweeps street-level litter into the drains, the mesh catches and holds plastic bags, bottles, packaging, and other solid waste. This collected debris can then be regularly removed and sent for proper disposal or recycling, breaking the pathway that traditionally carries it from street to sea.
A Model for the Future?
The pilot project in Ettahrir serves as a critical live test. If successful, the Zigofilter presents a scalable and economically viable model for cities across Tunisia and the wider Global South, where efficient waste management and climate resilience are pressing concerns. Wayout’s innovation demonstrates how targeted, source-control technology can offer a tangible step towards cleaner cities and healthier oceans.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
