The Seabin

Every day we witness new ways in which extraordinary people try to save our oceans. People like Pete Ceglinski and Andrew Turton, the two Australians that started this amazing project, are definitely among them. In 2016, growing extremely worried about the floating masses of trash, they started a crowdfunding campaign for a floating trashcan that they called the Seabin.

Pete Ceglinski, Seabin co-founder and CEO, holding an ocean plastic removal device in Helsinki, Finland © Seabin

Basically, it is a trashcan capable of collecting 20 kg (44 pounds) of different types of waste floating on the water. The Seabin is even able to collect small plastic microbeads and particles, as small as 2mm in size. Since it can float on any body of water this way, they can clean bays, marinas, yacht clubs, and many other locations, provided that the waters are calm. Rough waters, storms and unfortunately, humans, are among the few things that can damage these bins. There is no need to worry about the fish; the Seabin has a tiny motor that produces a sound which drives away the fish, keeping them and itself safe.

The two co-founders of this project started this project when they realized that, like trashcans on the land, you could have them in the ocean as well. Their idea is simple, to live in a world that does not need Seabins. Over the course of time this idea grew, and from a floating trashcan it became one of the most promising ecological initiatives. They have a young and ambitious team that is constantly trying to find new companies to collaborate with, improve their designs and technologies, and also to build strong relationship between the co-workers, so they can maximize their effort to save the oceans.

Seabin infographic on microplastics in our seas © Seabin

Their crowdfunding campaign managed to collect over 250 000 dollars and they immediately began putting their idea to motion. Now, the Seabins are deployed all over the world and are already doing an amazing job. The team currently has 35 sponsored Seabins in 25 different countries. These 35 Seabins can remove up to 49 tons of trash each year and have removed more than 100 tons of debris so far. The first six Seabins were made by hand and they barely met their deadline. However, with dedication comes result so they were able to, through outsourcing manufacturing, speed up their production. They did so by using a marine manufacturer, because they already have the existing global network and this way, they were able to fast track their market entry, and meet the growing demands from all the companies that have the same desire to partake in saving the oceans from pollution.

A Seabin V5 device ready to be installed in a port © Seabin

The sponsored Seabins are an opportunity for different firms to put their names on the Seabin. It is great way for this project to progress even further.

“For us, it’s amazing. We get to partner with some amazing brands and get to install Seabins into places that possibly couldn’t afford it previously,” Ceglinski explains.
(quote taken from www.redbull.com)

Furthermore, what is great about this project is that it is not only about collecting trash, it is so much more. They also care about educating everyone about the environment protection. When a Seabin is sold to a certain company, they also receive a Seabin data collection program which, together with community events and STEM program for a local school, creates an educational package. Finally, they are constantly trying to improve themselves and their technologies, so what more can we say, except wish them luck and hope that their dream comes true.

Picture source: www.lifegate.com