On 9 May, the first Seabin marine rubbish bin in all of Northern Europe was launched and placed in test use in Uunisaari, off the coast of the Kaivopuisto district of Helsinki, Wartsila announced. The test was realized under Seabin Project. Another floating rubbish bin will be installed in Helsinki at the turn of June.
The Seabin is a floating rubbish bin that is located in the water at marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports, where it collects all floating rubbish. Water is sucked in from the surface and passes through the catch bag inside the Seabin. The water is then pumped back into the marina leaving litter and debris trapped in the catch bag to be disposed of properly. The Seabin also has the potential to collect some of the oils and pollutants floating on the water surface. The Seabin Project’s team currently uses 12-volt submersible water pumps that can utilise alternative and clean energy sources. These may include solar, wave or wind power, depending on the location and available technology.
Specifically, Seabin Project launched its new V5 Hybrid model at the end of April and then began installing prototypes at its pilot partners’ sites. For a three-month trial period, the pilot partners will provide information about how the floating rubbish bins have functioned. Seabins are expected to go on commercial sale in August.
Wärtsilä said that will be operating as the Seabin Project’s global pilot partner for the next three years, donating floating rubbish bins to the City of Helsinki and the Port of Helsinki. The other six pilot partners are La Grande Motte in Southern France, Porto Montenegro in Montenegro, Port Adriano in Mallorca (Spain), Butterfield in Bermuda, and Safe Harbor Marinas in the United States.
Seabin Project’s Pete Ceglinski says: “The installation of the V5 Seabin here in Helsinki marks a real turning point in the fight against plastics and littering.”
Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor, Anni Sinnemäki, explained that plastic rubbish breaks down into tiny microplastic pieces that can contaminate fish and then end up being eaten by people. On this context, she expressed her hopes that the floating rubbish bin will raise awareness of plastic littering in the sea, which consists one of the most major environmental challenges.
“I hope that Helsinki strengthens its reputation as a place where creative people discover and experiment with solutions to the world’s problems,” she added.
However, the most important thing to remember is that every one of us can do our bit for the cleanliness of the marine environment,” says Atte Palomäki, Executive Vice President, Communications & Branding and member of the Board of Management at Wärtsilä.
