Meet Mr. Trash Wheel, the world-famous, solar-powered trash interceptor that’s cleaning up Baltimore’s waterways one floating bottle at a time. This quirky, googly-eyed contraption has captured global attention—not just for its massive environmental impact, but for its charm and personality, with a social media following to match.

Installed in 2014 at the mouth of the Jones Falls River, Mr. Trash Wheel has removed millions of pounds of garbage from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, keeping plastic, debris, and runoff pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay. The wheel is powered by a combination of solar panels and water currents, using a conveyor belt to scoop up trash and deposit it into a floating dumpster.

Mr. Trash Wheel has since inspired an entire trash-fighting fleet, including Professor Trash Wheel, Captain Trash Wheel, and Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West—each tackling pollution at different points around the harbor.

Seeing Mr. Trash Wheel in action is a must for visitors looking to experience Baltimore’s creative approach to conservation. Whether you catch a glimpse while walking along the waterfront or join the Trash Wheel Fan Club, this trash-eating, tweet-posting, googly-eyed icon is one of the most uniquely Baltimore attractions you’ll ever find.