microplastic

Australia's first Seabin demonstration - World Ocean's Day 2018

I was stoked to have the opportunity to document the first Seabin in Australia.

Last Friday, June 8 2018, was World Ocean's Day and Australia's first Seabin demonstration took place at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

What’s a Seabin?

A Seabin is a floating rubbish bin that is located in the water at marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports. The Seabin moves up and down with the range of tide collecting all floating rubbish.

Seabin removing plastic and debris from the ocean. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

Seabin removing plastic and debris from the ocean. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

 

After installing the Seabin and leaving it operating overnight, I was shocked to return the next morning and discover it had collected more than 10kg of debris and plastic from Darling Harbour! 

Micro plastics are hard to see until a closer inspection of the debris revealed large amounts of micro plastic mixed in with the organic matter. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

Micro plastics are hard to see until a closer inspection of the debris revealed large amounts of micro plastic mixed in with the organic matter. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

 

It won't solve the problem of plastics in our oceans, but it's a good start and it does spark a conversation about the issue of single use plastics.

The Seabin Project's co-founding director Pete Ceglinski. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

The Seabin Project's co-founding director Pete Ceglinski. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

 

It will be great to see it written into legislation for marinas and ports around the world, to have Seabin operating and removing ocean plastics 24/7. 

A disposable coffee cup moves towards the Seabin. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

A disposable coffee cup moves towards the Seabin. Photo by Elliot Kirkwood Photography

 

This is a short video, documenting Australia's first Seabin! 

 

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