The Seabin Whole Solution
by Seabin Project 14 Feb 2018 10:01 PST
The Seabin Whole Solution © Seabin Project
Seabin is a floating rubbish collection device that acts as a marina trash skimmer designed to reduce, and ultimately stop pollution in our waterways from entering the ocean. A simple concept coupled with an incredibly innovative design has delivered an outcome that will see every Seabin installed remove up to 1.5 tons of waste from marine waterways per year which will lead to a consequent step forward toward ocean conservation.
Seabin was conceptualised by two Aussie ocean enthusiasts, sailor Andrew Turton and surfer Pete Ceglinski, who's love of the ocean inspired them to do something about the ever-growing issue of ocean plastic pollution and ocean conservation. Currently, the product has substantial uptake throughout the marinas, harbours and ports of throughout the world with Europe having the greatest interest, but now Seabin is coming home to Australia to launch their global headoffice and the ocean-conservation product in our waterways.
The Seabin team are currently searching for a location in either SE QLD or Far Northern NSW to set up the Seabin Australia Global Office. The Seabin Australia Global Office will see all new technologies and prototypes developed on Australian soil as well as overseeing the global operations. The Seabin European Office remains operational with five team members taking care of activities within Europe.
Seabin's Indiegogo campaign kicked off in 2015, where they raised over $260,000 through the crowdfunding site and a Booking.com incubator program for start ups mid 2017 saw Seabin receive the second highest funding of $500,000. Seabin were 1 out of 10 successful startups from over 800 applicants globally. Through a pilot partner program, Seabins have been installed in 11 countries throughout the world for testing and user feedback. As a result, plenty of communities, school groups and environmental organisations have started their own crowdfunding efforts to pay for a Seabin to donate to their local ports and marinas.
"It has been a phenomenal ride so far, exhilerating, challenging and overwhelming at times but the team and I enjoy a challenge and what better challenge than to address the issue of ocean plastics and littering. I mean who really wants to surf or swim in plastics?" CEO and COFounder, Pete Ceglinski explained.
"Seabin has drawn millions of eyes to the environmental disaster that is the state of our oceans, and people have jumped onboard with our technology and broader vision very quickly. 2018 is going to be a huge year in terms of new technologies, product advancements, our education and science programs and with hard work, we will see wide scale Seabin installations across Australia too. Hopefully we can start talks with local government about how we can be more involved or tailor the tech to suit their needs as the issue of our waterways is a common interest for everyone"
The Seabin team is working on a number of new ways to eliminate marine waste, and empower communities and individuals to make a difference in their local marinas and ports.
"Our priority for 2018 is to get the Seabins into marinas as we do not have a sustainable income right now. Our other major developments that we're looking into this year is the next model Seabin which will be for fixed docks and move up and down with the tide, our Seabin Share Program, our Crowdfunding kit and Seabin Foundation Australia." Pete continued.
The Seabin Share Program is designed for environmental conservation groups to help develop the data collection program and scale it up. Groups such as Mission Blue, 5 Gyres, WWF, NOAA, The Ocean Conservancy and CSIRO are all in engagement at the moment. These high profile conservationists will act as Seabin Custodians for between six and 12 months, with the obligation of waste analysis and data collection being the only costs. After the agreed period has been completed, the Seabin moves onto the next Custodian at a new location.
"We have found that these high profile groups are concentrated in the USA and we are looking to spread the share program out with a view of having an environmental agency in Australia participating. It will a great achievement to have hard data coming in from around the world so we can convert that to base data for measurable impact."
Crowdfunding Kit: "The Seabin Crowdfunding Kit will give us a way to engage local communities, increase our data intake, pull more waste from waterways and fight against ocean plastic pollution. By assisting non-profits, individuals and schools to fundraise, we can eliminate the barrier of affordability. Seabins aren't cheap to make, but if we can set up an open flow of data between the community, marinas and our analysts, everybody wins. The ultimate goal is to have the Seabins subsidised" Pete explained.
The Crowdfunding program involves individuals, youth groups, schools and non-profits working directly with a local marina to fundraise for a Seabin to be installed. Seabin have also designed school programs and lessons for youth interaction with the clean tech. The data collected also helps the Seabin team understand the types of waste that end up in our harbours, wharfs, marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports. The Seabin design team are also working on a method of manufacturing the filters out of the waste collected by the Seabins.
Seabin Foundation Australia will be the non-profit manifestation of Seabin, meaning the group will be eligible for government and private grants for education and research. This will vastly improve Seabin's capacity to educate, which the Seabin team identify as the most important outcome of the entire project.
"Seabin is only part of a solution, but education is prevention and that is the real goal. Our strategy is to address the issue as a whole solution through Technology, Education, Science and Community activities. Once people see the amount of debris that a single Seabin can pull from a small marina, they understand how much waste ends up in our waterways and instantly reassess the way they dispose of their rubbish. The Seabins are catching big stuff like plastic bottles, bags, cups and also smaller stuff like plastic nurdles, micr plastics and just recently Micro Fibers. This is all great, but our dream is to one day live in a world where Seabins aren't necessary. It sounds a bit contradictory as we are a business, but we will just find something else to do." Pete finished.
Seabin orders and enquiries can now be made Australia-wide, as well as in existing overseas markets, via seabinproject.com