Seabin project aims to clean up worlds oceans

The Seabin project, based in Mallorca, has designed a fully-working prototype and is now raising funds to enable production to start later this year. GreenPort reporter, Rebecca Strong, spoke to the Seabin project founders in February to find out more.

Peter Ceglinski, co-founder of the project, told GreenPort that they are in talks with a manufacturer to take their project forward and that contract negotiations are also on-going.

Support has been overwhelming. Mr Ceglinski said that there had been so much feedback “it’s hard to keep up. Over 85,000 followers on facebook, and over 160m hits on our video!”

We now learn that the project has announced an exclusive partnership with French equipment supplier for marinas, Poralu Marine.

Mr Ceglinski, together with co-founder Andrew Turton, said: “We are very pleased to enter into this partnership which comes after many years of research and testing. Our innovative and world first design and technology partnered with Poralu Marine brings us a recognised expertise worldwide and its support shows the relevance of our approach.”

The design and development will be supported by the R&D team at Poralu Marine.

Fayçal Rezgui, head of the environmental branch of the Poralu Marine Group, explained: “To remain a leader in our field we must be prepared for future challenges. Plastic pollution is a large and predominant one.

“We are investing in the development of eco-friendly solutions. Therefore it seemed natural to support Seabin because Pete and Andrew have put their hearts into this and they were able to provide a realistic and affordable solution.”

“This partnership is just the beginning of a long term collaboration for both companies,” he added.

The bin, looking not unlike a large domestic waste bin, is designed for use by floating docks in marinas, private pontoons, inland waterways, lakes, harbours and ports. It can even be fitted to super yachts and motorboats.

It is powered by a shore-based pump and works by sucking water into an internal ‘catch bag’ made of natural fibres. With the water comes all manner of floating debris and liquid. This is trapped in the bag and the water then flows out through the bottom of the bin into the pump.

The pump contains an oil/water separator to clean the water which can then flow back into the ocean. This process is continuous and when the catch bag is full, it can be simply emptied and replaced.

Because winds and currents constantly move the debris around it collects in marinas, ports and inland waterways. This makes these areas ideal places to situate the bins.

Seabin’s green ambitions are extensive. The project aims to create Seabins from the most sustainable materials and processes currently available and to reduce its carbon footprint by having Seabins manufactured in the countries of installation.

Mr Ceglinski and Mr Turton explained: “Together [with Poralu] we can develop high quality Seabins to fit the needs of users and with eco-responsible materials. Moreover, Poralu’s extensive global distribution network will allows us to be closer to our customers and thus to limit our carbon footprint. It was essential for us having a sustainable approach combining quality and responsibility to all levels from production to distribution”.

The project hopes to have Seabin production and shipping in place by the end of 2016.