# Sustainable Floating Gardens This Floating Island is Designed to Clean a Polluted Waterway By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-09-29 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polluted-waterway References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3051524/this-floating-island-is-cleaning-up-brooklyns-insanely-polluted-gowanus-canal?partner=rss) & [balmori](http://www.balmori.com/portfolio/growonus-floating-landscape-in-the-gowanus-canal) The 'Balmori' design firm developed a [floating island](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-neighborhood) that help clean a polluted waterway. Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal is known throughout New York for its highly polluted waters. This sustainable initiative is designed to combat growing pollution through the use of plants. The floating garden is a man-made structure that features 19 different plant species. Each plant grows in a metal culvert pipe that is filled with plastic bottles. These bottles are connected to a durable wooden base that helps to keep the structure afloat. The island thus acts as a giant sponge that filters the polluted waterway. Beyond cleaning the water, the island also acts as a [habitat for the city's wildlife](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodiversity-island). The floating garden is the first of its kind, however it could be a viable solution for cleaning other urban canals and rivers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Floating Gardens:** The use of floating gardens as a way of combating pollution in urban canals and rivers. - **Green Technology:** Innovative ways to use plants and recycled materials for cleaning polluted waterways. - **Floating Structures:** Creative structures that can be implemented to clean polluted waterways. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Environmental:** The use of floating gardens as a potential solution for cleaning polluted waterways. - **Architecture and Design:** Innovative and sustainable designs for floating structures that can have positive environmental impacts. - **Urban Planning:** The integration of sustainable solutions for cleaning polluted waterways into urban planning and development. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Aquatic Floating Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-marine-farm.md) - [Lotus-Inspired Floating Water Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floatis.md) - [Upcoming Architectural Floating Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centroparco.md) - [Recycled Plastic Floating Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mast.md) - [Accessible Floating Public Pools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-public-pool.md) - [Floating Marine Park Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smrket.md) - [Indoor Air Quality-Improving Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elpo-indoor-vertical-garden.md) - [Hollow Terracotta Pillared Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodiversity-island.md) - [Structural Smart Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantafrom-smart-indoor-garden.md)