GreenSeas Trust has installed its 18th BinForGreenSeas recycling bin opposite the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) headquarters in London.
The bin has been officially launched by Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the IMO. This installation, the fourth by the River Thames in London and the third funded by the City Bridge Trust, is a testament to GreenSeas Trust’s dedication to combating marine plastic pollution. With the River Thames hosting some of the highest recorded levels of microplastics globally, this initiative aims to be a timely intervention.
Currently, GreenSeas Trust has 17 strategically placed bins, collecting an impressive average of 81,000 500ml plastic bottles per month, and 970,000 bottles annually. When placed end-to-end, these bottles span 198 km, equivalent to 172 Big Bens per month. These striking statistics underscore the significant impact of GreenSeas Trust’s efforts in reducing plastic pollution.
I am very pleased to support the work of BinForGreenSeas. These bins are visual, practical reminders that we all must act to protect our ocean. They offer an unmistakable invitation for us to be part of the solution to rid the planet and oceans of plastic pollution.
… said IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez
A former seafarer-turned-engineer-turned-marine-conservationist, Fazilette Khan, Founder and Trustee of GreenSeas Trust, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating that it is vital for protecting our marine environment and promoting sustainable practices.
The BinForGreenSeas project continues to expand, with three additional bins set to be installed in the UK over this year, and three more planned for overseas locations. Each bin plays a critical role in reducing plastic pollution and fostering environmental awareness.
Giles Shilson, the chairman of the City Bridge Foundation, stated that for over 20 years, GreenSeas Trust has been doing an excellent job educating people about the necessity of eliminating plastic waste from entering rivers and seas. He expressed delight in being able to fund the latest BinForGreenSeas, highlighting its dual purpose as a practical place for litter disposal and a striking visual reminder of the urgent threat to oceans and marine life.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Lambeth Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, expressed excitement about establishing the new GreenSeas Trust plastic bottle recycling bin in Lambeth. She emphasized the importance of protecting the natural world for future generations and noted that the bin would encourage residents and visitors to recycle their plastic waste, aiming to collectively reduce plastic pollution.
