- green-spots
- waste
- Australia
- Floating seabin collects ocean waste, Australia

Problems
Plastic pollution seriously threatens the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems. Australia is one of the world's largest consumers and producers of plastic, with an annual consumption of one million tonnes of single-use plastic. However, only 13% of plastic is recycled, and 84% is sent to landfill. Every year, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean from Australia, where it harms wildlife, contaminates food chains, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
Solutions
Seabin: How these 'floating garbage bins' can help clean up our waters
Author: World Economic Forum
A Seabin Floating Trash Skimmer is a device that collects floating trash and debris from water bodies such as marinas, harbors, and rivers. It is designed to reduce plastic pollution and improve water quality by filtering out plastics, microplastics, oil, fuel, and other pollutants. The device consists of a floating bin with a pump and a catch bag that can be attached to fixed or floating structures. The Seabin was invented by two Australian surfers, Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski, who were concerned about the amount of plastic and trash in the oceans. They launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2015 to fund the development and production of the Seabin and received support from various sponsors and partners. The first prototype was tested in Mallorca, Spain, in 2016, and the first commercial units were installed in 2017. Since then, the Seabin has been deployed in over 50 countries and has collected more than 2,000 tons of waste from the water. The Seabin works by creating a suction effect that draws in the surface water and the floating trash and debris. The water passes through a filter bag that traps the solid waste, while the clean water is pumped back into the water body. The filter bag can hold up to 20 kilograms of waste and can capture particles as small as 2 millimeters. The filter bag can be easily emptied and replaced when full. The Seabin can operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, depending on the site conditions and the maintenance requirements. The Seabin can be powered by solar, wind, or grid electricity and has a low carbon footprint. There are three types of Seabin, depending on the type of structure they are attached to: Fixed Seabin: This type of Seabin is attached to vertical docks that do not move with the tide. It is suitable for locations with calm water and low wave action. Mobile Seabin: This type of Seabin is mounted on a modular dock that can be moved from place to place. It is ideal for locations with variable water levels and currents and can cover a larger area of water. Floating Seabin: This type of Seabin is attached to floating docks that move with the tide. It is designed for locations with moderate wave action and tidal changes. Benefits and impacts The Seabin has several benefits and impacts for the environment and the society, such as: Reducing plastic pollution: The Seabin helps to remove plastic and other waste from the water, preventing it from reaching the oceans and harming marine life. According to the Seabin Project, the Seabin can collect up to 1.5 kilograms of waste per day, which amounts to 500 kilograms per year3. The Seabin can also capture microplastics and microfibers, which are often invisible to the naked eye and pose a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Improving water quality: The Seabin helps to improve the water quality by filtering out oil, fuel, detergents, and other pollutants that can contaminate the water and affect the health of humans and animals. The Seabin can also reduce the growth of algae and bacteria, which can cause odors and diseases. Raising awareness and education: The Seabin helps to raise awareness and education about the problem of plastic pollution and the need for behavioral change. The Seabin Project provides educational programs and resources for schools, communities, and businesses to teach them about the causes and effects of plastic pollution and the solutions to prevent it. The Seabin also collects data on the types and amounts of waste collected, which can be used for research and policy-making. Creating employment and opportunities: The Seabin helps to create employment and opportunities for local people and organizations, who can provide services and maintenance for the Seabin, as well as recycling and disposal of the waste collected. The Seabin also creates partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders, such as governments, corporations, NGOs, and universities, who can support and benefit from the Seabin Project.
Gallery
4Timelines
2023
The Seabin Project has reached the milestone of collecting over 10,000 tons of marine litter since its inception. They also launched the Seabin V6, a new model that can capture microplastics down to 0.5 mm in size. They also partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to support Ocean Stewardship 2030, a roadmap to achieve a healthy and resilient ocean by 2030.
2019
The Seabin Project has reached the milestone of collecting over 1,000 tons of marine litter since its inception. They also launched the Seabin V5 Hybrid, a new model that can be powered by solar, wind, or grid electricity. They also joined the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership, a platform that aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.
2017
The first Seabins were installed in various locations around the world, including La Grande Motte in France, Port Adriano in Spain, and the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. The Seabin Project also developed an educational program to raise awareness and inspire action on ocean conservation.
2016
The Seabin Project launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo and raised over $370,000 from more than 2,000 backers. They also partnered with Poralu Marine, a French company that manufactures pontoons and marina equipment, to produce the Seabins.
2015
The Seabin Project was launched by Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski, two Australian surfers who wanted to clean up the ocean. They designed a prototype Seabin and sourced seed funding from Shark Mitigation Systems.