In 2015 we were lucky to meet a project that aims to clean the oceans and would be deployed from 2016. This novel project, called Seabin Project, aims to reduce marine pollution through innovative technology that acts as a marine trash bin. This device has been designed to collect floating waste in the water continuously and effectively.
Already underway since its initial deployment, Seabin continues to capture tons of marine debris in ports and marinas around the world. The scope of the project is expected to continue to expand due to the good results obtained since its first installations.
What is Project Seabin?
The Seabin Project, also known as marine trash can, is an initiative designed to capture floating debris in the waters near ports and marinas. The device was conceptualized by two young Australians: surfer Andrew Turton and engineer Pete Ceglinski, who, concerned about the large amount of plastics and waste in the oceans, had the idea of ​​creating a solution that would facilitate cleaning in areas where waste tends to accumulate.
Seabin can collect plastics, microplastics, oils and other floating pollutants, acting as a marine trash can that filters and cleans the water. This device uses an electric pump to generate a water current, which draws waste into a collection bag, while the clean water returns to the ocean. This makes it an effective tool for purifying areas near the coast, especially in port areas where waste tends to accumulate.
The cost of the Seabin is approximately $3.825 per unit, and in 2016 it was officially marketed after a successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which raised the $230.000 needed to begin production.
How the Seabin works
The Seabin is designed to operate continuously, attracting floating trash while water circulates through the device. It consists of a submerged container connected to an electric pump. that circulates water inside it. Waste is trapped in a collection bag, and clean water returns to the sea. This filter not only collects plastics and solid waste, but can also include systems that separate oils and other liquid contaminants, such as detergents or petroleum products.
- The device can capture up to 1,5kg of rubbish per day, which adds up to around 500kg of waste per year for each Seabin.
- It works especially well in places where water movement is limited, such as ports, where floating debris tends to concentrate.
It is important to mention that the system is designed to prevent fish or other marine species from getting trapped, as the current is too gentle to attract animals.
Project impact worldwide
Since its launch, the Seabin Project has received strong support globally, and by 2024, it is estimated that More than 1.800 Seabins are active in 52 countriesThese devices have managed to capture hundreds of tons of waste, with a significant impact on the reduction of plastics and microplastics in the areas where they have been installed.
One of the main goals of the Seabin Project is not only to clean the water, but also Raise awareness about marine pollution and the importance of reducing the use of disposable plastics. In some ports, such as Palma de Mallorca or Malaga, educational programs have been implemented that include Seabin as a tool to teach about environmental sustainability. These programs have served to involve local communities in caring for the sea.
Microplastics collection
One of the most important advances that Seabin has had is the ability to collect Microplastics up to 2 mm in sizeMicroplastics are one of the most dangerous forms of marine pollution, infiltrating the food chain of fish, birds and other aquatic organisms. These tiny plastic fragments, invisible to the naked eye, are extremely difficult to filter out using traditional cleaning methods, but the Seabin system has proven effective at capturing them. On average, each device can collect up to 90.000 plastic bags and more than 16.500 bottles per year.
Expansion of the project in Spain
In Spain, the Seabin Project has found a great ally in several coastal cities, especially within the Mediterranean Sea, one of the areas most affected by plastic pollution in the world. Currently, cities such as Valencia, Mahón, Cartagena, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Gijón have Seabins installed, and these units have managed to collect a significant amount of marine waste. A notable case is that of Marina of Malaga, where Seabins have caught, on average, more than 37.700 glasses and 16.500 bottles per year.
In addition to the cleaning function, the Seabins in Spain are collecting data on the origin and quantity of waste, which has allowed local authorities to make more informed decisions when developing policies for the conservation and cleaning of their coasts.
- Seabins nets have been installed along the Bay of Palma, stretching from Santa Ponça to the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
- Marine debris collected in these areas provides valuable information for studying environmental impact and sources of pollution.
Looking ahead, Seabin continues to grow and expand, integrating technological improvements to make the devices even more efficient and durable. In addition, the possibility of using plastics recycled by Seabins themselves to manufacture future units is being studied, thus closing the circle of the circular economy.
Thanks to initiatives like Seabin, we are moving forward every day towards a future with less plastic in our oceans. Although it is a huge challenge, solutions like Seabin are bringing us closer to the goal of cleaning up our seas and protecting marine life.