Land Rover BAR have partnered with Seabin Pty to install the UK's first Seabin on the pontoon of the team's base in Portsmouth. The Seabin, an automated rubbish collection device, will sit alongside 1,000 oysters housed in protected cages on the dock, introduced as part of a scientific project and launched in 2015.
Each Seabin collects floating debris and micro plastics down to 2mm in diameter and has the capability to collect 83,000 plastic shopping bags or 20,000 plastic bottles per year. The team are expecting to remove half a tonne of debris from the waters around The Camber each year, as-well as removing pollutants such as oils and detergents.
Land Rover BAR was one of the early supporters during the initial Crowdfunding campaign that made the Seabin project possible and the UK's model is also the World's first commercial unit to be installed. The team are committed to protecting their 'pitch' and reducing their environmental footprint by working with exclusive sustainably partner, 11th Hour Racing, partners and suppliers to identify and communicate new innovative solutions to deliver further positive change.
Jo Grindley, Land Rover BAR CMO/ CCO on the partnership,”The collaboration with Seabin Pty forms part of the team's on-going drive to become the most sustainable sports team in the world.
The ocean is our playground and when opportunities come along to partner with exciting and innovative projects, such as the Seabin, we are really keen to support and work together to help improve the health of the oceans.”
It's been estimated that the volume of plastic leaking into the sea is approximately eight million metric tons a year – with only nine percent being recycled – and less than 20 percent of this originates from ocean-based sources like fisheries and fishing vessels. This means that over 80 percent of ocean plastic comes from land-based sources; once plastic is discarded, if processing or recycling is not well managed, it ends up in the sea, highlighting how essential it is to reduce/reuse/recycle and eliminate single use plastics to start with. This was a big focus of the educational element of the launch.
Pete Ceglinski, CEO and Co-Founder of Seabin Pty “The team at Seabin acknowledge that the real solution to ocean plastics and littering is not technology, but education, science, research. The innovative Seabin project is also a tool to inspire and engage the next generation, with the ultimate goal to live in the world without the need for Seabins.”
Seventeen young students from Gomer and Westbourne Primary Schools, in Hampshire, were invited to join an interactive BT STEM Crew lesson with The 1851 Trust's Education Manager, Bev Smith, focusing on Ocean Health, using the Seabin to demonstrate a tangible solution and challenging students to create their own innovative concepts.
MDL Marinas, who installed the Land Rover BAR pontoon system, are supportive of the team's sustainability practices, “After designing and installing the Solent Oyster refuge equipment we're delighted to be helping with the installation of the Sea Bin. MDL is always striving to support new initiatives that remove pollutants in our waters and protect the local ecosystem. The SeaBin is a fantastic idea, and proven to do the job!” commented Dean Smith, Commercial Director.
