WHAT WE DO:
Our mission is to revolutionize beach cleaning and environmental stewardship in lake, coastal & marina environments through the use of innovative, eco-friendly technologies.
We tackle the most challenging beach litter, microplastics, and invasive aquatic weeds to preserve the beauty and ecological health of landmark destinations, promoting sustainable tourism practices in Lake Tahoe & beyond.
OUR TECHNOLOGIES:
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BEBOT
BEBOT is our solar & battery powered, beach-cleaning robot, the first of its kind on the west coast. It sifts & captures small debris from beach sand to a depth of four inches, without damaging flora and fauna or generating emissions. We launched a successful pilot project in 2022 deploying the BEBOT in partnership with Keep Tahoe Blue. It is the only TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) permitted mechanical beach cleaning machine in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
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PixieDrone
PixieDrone is our aquatic, battery-powered, autonomous skimmer robot that skims the water surface, gathering debris & invasive weeds. Fitted with LIDAR technology to avoid obstacles, it adjusts its course in real time, allowing it to navigate along pre-mapped routes. In 2023, we partnered with Keep Tahoe Blue and Tahoe Keys Marina to deploy the PixieDrone in a three month testing period, removing over 65 gallons of aquatic invasive weed fragments.
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Collec'THOR
Collec’Thor is a fixed trash & waste collector that attracts and removes aquatic invasive weeds fragments and floating debris. It operates continuously and silently, collecting waste over a large area. We’ll be launching our pilot project in Summer of 2024 at the Tahoe Keys Marina, where data will be logged through monitoring the levels of collected weed fragments and debris to determine hot spots and overall impact of this new technology.
OUR STORY:
Founded by long-time friends JB Harris & JT Chevallier, our journey began amidst the vibrant lights of Las Vegas, Nevada. However, it was the call of the mountains that beckoned us, leading us to Lake Tahoe with dreams of embracing the ski bum lifestyle.
Over the course of 17 years, our shared experiences and love for the outdoors cultivated a deeper understanding of our responsibility to the environment we cherished. Amidst the challenges brought forth by the Covid-19 pandemic, we witnessed a surge in tourism that took a toll on the pristine landscapes we held dear.
It was during this time that the seed of an idea took root within us – a realization that our impact could extend far beyond our individual aspirations. Thus, ECO-CLEAN Solutions was born out of a desire to give back to the very environment that had given us so much.
Today, guided by our passion for innovation and environmental stewardship, we are dedicated to providing eco-friendly solutions that not only protect our natural surroundings, but also contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations to enjoy for years to come.
OUR TEAM:
JB Harris
FOUNDER & CEO
The genesis of ECO-CLEAN Solutions was one born of frustration. In Lake Tahoe the summer of 2020 brought an unprecedented amount of visitors to the region and that surge of tourism was accompanied by an unprecedented amount of waste left behind on our beaches. Founder and longtime local JB Harris had a front row seat to this travesty by working on the beaches of Lake Tahoe and spending his off days recreating with his family at other area beaches.
It all came to a head when he realized he was spending more time walking the beaches picking up trash and distributing extra trash bags to other beach goers than spending quality time with his partner and son. He knew that there had to be a better way to protect the lake he loves so much from the harmful effects of this waste and increasing the overall experience for beach patrons. His goal is to create pristine beaches for generations to come while educating residents and visitors on the importance of mitigating the impacts to our beaches and inevitably Lake Tahoe’s health and clarity in an ecologically sensitive way.
JT Chevallier
CO-FOUNDER & CSO
JT’s role as the Chief Strategy Officer is supporting all aspects of project management, strategic development, executive training and capital investment. His roles as the Former Town Manager of Genoa, NV and the current Economic & Community Development Director for Alpine County have positioned him well to take projects through the public approval and funding process. He understands the nuance of presenting to public agency boards, non-profits, and prides himself on his ability to communicate the goals, objectives and values for each project he represents.
JT takes a holistic approach with every project he works on and every individual and business he works with. With over 15 years of experience in marketing, public relations, business operations and public policy, JT has honed his skills in strategic planning and operational execution. JT knows what it takes to create shared benefit with an emphasis on the public good.
Katy Jo Caringer
Marketing & Communications Lead
Katy Jo’s role as the Marketing Director involves implementing strategic marketing campaigns that bring a new awareness to our mission of environmental stewardship, highlight key community partnerships, and translate our commitment to preserving natural environments through the implementation of minimally invasive & eco-friendly technologies.
Katy Jo brings 10+ years of digital marketing experience in building comprehensive, high-impact brand strategies for companies within the outdoor and environmental space. Her previous marketing roles in the action sport industry fueled her passion to work with organizations that are taking real action to combat climate change and protect the Earth’s natural playgrounds for future generations to enjoy.
We are looking forward to having Katy Jo help ECO-CLEAN continue building authentic connections within our community, and fostering organic growth across all digital channels.