Manly: Automated Seabin to be installed to clean harbour water
A bin that sits in the oceans and sucks in debris, including micro plastics, 24/7 is being installed in Manly.
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A bin that sits in the ocean and sucks in rubbish, including micro plastics, is to be installed in Manly.
The automated garbage collector called a Seabin, works 24/7 sucking water in from around a 50m radius and filtering it.
On average it is expected to collect about 4kg of rubbish a day, with cigarette butts, polystyrene balls and water bottles, the most common pollutants.
It also filters oil and fuel in the water.
Studies have found fish won’t get pulled into the bin, as naturally they will swim away from the gentle pull, although a small amount of seaweed and the odd jellyfish might.
Dale Burgess, from the Australian-based cleantech start-up, The Seabin Project, told the Manly Daily that if there was a swarm of jellyfish in the vicinity, they would switch the machine off.
Eventually the company would like to see funding for 20 of the Seabins between Manly and Kirribilli.
There’s already a pilot study happening on the southern side of the harbour.
One bin at Sydney Aquarium collected an astonishing 53 kilos of rubbish on September 21. It followed rain and wild winds which is believed to have caused the increase.
Across the 16 pilot units on the southside more than 200 kgs in total was removed on that day.
The first one to be installed on the northside will be at Manly Yacht Club next week.
“This is not going to solve the problem of plastics in the oceans, but it is a start,” Mr Burgess said.
Along with the debris, which needs to be emptied every day, data will be compiled.
“By producing the impact reports we will be able to show the council and large corporations why we need to do more,” Mr Burgess said.
He said the data will help raise awareness of the problem and educate people to not pollute the oceans.
He added that people can also crowdfund to buy a Seabin, although the annual servicing costs for the $6,500 bins are about $10,000 a year, which is why they want to win the support of funders such as Northern Beaches Council.
He said the Manly Seabin was crowdfunded by the clothing store Patagonia in Darley Rd.
When it is installed next Wednesday, people will be able to see it from the pontoon off Manly Yacht Club.
Pete Ceglinski, CEO and Co Founder of Seabin Project said the “visual communication and impact of what these services are providing can be invaluable to any city with waterfront”.
“To be seen to be doing something about plastic pollution is critical to start the change we all want to see and the last thing we want to do is simply just clean up,” he said.
James Griffin, Manly MP, said the “technology and ingenuity” of Seabin will deliver cleaner water for Manly which he fully supports.
“I know the team there and am excited to welcome them to Manly,” he said.