one drop at a time
one drop at a time
We are a pioneering charity focused on reducing marine pollution, especially plastics.
We are led entirely by volunteers and all donations go straight towards fulfilling our mission. One hundred percent.
Our primary focus is not research, advocacy or picking litter from the beaches. We know the best way to reduce marine litter is to tackle it at the core of the problem – human behaviour.
We have successfully completed several international projects.
How do we do it? We connect the dots and show people how irresponsible littering will affect their own personal lives. Environmentally, aesthetically and to their well-being.
Launch of the BinForGreenSeas in Blackpool 05/06/2019
The core objective of the #BinForGreenSeas Project is to combat the lack of awareness of improperly disposed litter. The effect that has on our oceans, its marine life and in turn, the food chain. We want our bin to act as a catalyst for more sustainable behaviour.
Lobby your local council to have a BinForGreenSeas.
Help us to finance the next BinForGreenSeas.
Our Mission Statement: The aim of GreenSeas Trust is to educate, promote and implement environmental programmes to eliminate plastics entering the seas and coastal areas. Our goal is to ensure marine life and fish stocks are sustainable for future generations.
TRYING TO SURVIVE IN A SEA OF PLASTICS
From her poem; The Moon and the Dervish
And as this lonely Dervish bids you adieu!
To roam through the clouds as you always do;
We will sit and wait in the Caravan of Time
For the virtuous giver of love’s flaming wine.
From her poem; The Gift of Colours
This lovely world we live upon,
Has many more colours than the rainbow shone
Where would we be if there was none?
And the world spun white round and round.
Haida Khan’s vision and comprehension of the beauty in nature that reveals itself to the observant eye will remain the guiding inspiration of this trust.
Fazilette Khan
Fazilette is the daughter of Haida Khan, in whose memory the charity is dedicated.
Fazilette qualified as a marine electronic engineer from the Merchant Navy College, formerly HMS Worchester. She became a Radio Officer at a time when women at sea were few and far between. Working for many prominent companies, including; Stena Line, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Spliethoff, and Swire Pacific.
Later, she was a Environmental Officer for Princess Cruises. She has witnessed the growing problem of marine debris on our oceans first hand. “My career at sea has allowed me the privilege to visit some of the most exotic and pristine coastal areas in remote parts of the world. It is heart breaking to come back a few years later and see those very same coves and beaches now strewn with unsightly plastics bottles and other non-biodegradable rubbish.”
Fazilette is a distinguished columnist and writer for many prominent maritime publications.
She is a Chartered Environmentalist, a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and an Incorporated Engineer of the Engineering Council.
Emir Feisal, JP
Emir is a Consultant specialising in transformational change. The majority of his career was spent at the Sunday Times as Associate Managing Editor of this leading Sunday Paper.
He is a Magistrate for the Central London Bench. He is also a Commissioner for the Judicial Appointments Commission, which selects candidates for judicial office in Courts and tribunals.
Emir is at present, a board member of the Serious Fraud Office, Audit Chair of Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Group, the Honours Committee, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, and is a trustee of The Henry Smith Charity, one of the largest grant makers in the UK.
He has held non executive board member positions with the Royal Parks Agency, Bar Tribunal Adjudication Service, London Metropolitan University, South West London and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, amongst others.
Julie Price
Julie is a qualified Veterinary Nurse with a keen interest in wildlife.
“I believe it is our duty to protect the environment for each and every species for their survival, and for future human generations to enjoy. Simply jettisoning our rubbish where we can no longer see it is not sustainable. We all need to act now.”
Julie has had a varied career, mostly working in pre-press. She takes an active role in producing print material for the charity as well as provides unparalleled support. Currently, she is living on a smallholding in West Wales where she can put the ethical production of food into practice.
Cigarette butts have 600 ingredients, 7,000 chemicals when burnt. These toxins leach into the marine environment
It was a jolly turn out for the cutting of the ribbon ceremony held on Minster promenade. Guest of honours for the ribbon cutting include: Councillor Ken Ingleton, Mayor of Swale, and Councillor Tim Valentine, Cabinet Member for Environment from the Green Party and 9-year old Oliver Huggins who lobbied for recycling bins in Minster Leas.
While the colours of the BinForGreenSeas has changed slightly our message stays the same; Bin your rubbish, especially plastics, don’t leave it.
In a bid fight marine plastics left on its beaches and promenades, Swale Council has ordered three BinForGreenSeas. The bins will be placed at prominent locations at Minster Beach, Leysdown Beach and Sheerness Beach, where seaside visitors won’t be able to miss them. These beaches are popular with tourists and locals alike. To help protect these glorious award-winning stretches of coastline, the BinForGreenSeas poignant message: “Throw Marine Life a Lifeline,” will prompt visitors to dispose of their litter responsibly.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Swale Council is taking three bins” said Fazilette Khan, Founder of GreenSeas Trust. “The bins are proving themselves in the fight to stop plastics entering the sea by changing the behaviour of beach goers. We know it will do same at the three new locations where they will be permanently sited.”
Arun District Council has installed one of our iconic bins on the coastline of the popular seaside resort of Bognor Regis. The official cutting of the ribbon ceremony was held on the 9th October 2019.
Chairman of Arun Council, Cllr Jeanette Warr cut the ribbon to officially unveil the new bin.From left to right: CEO Nigel Lynn, Cllr Matt Stanley, Edward Bryant pupils, Chairman Cllr Mrs Warr, Fazilette Khan and Cllr Jim Brooks.
Beautifully situated near the south downs, Bognor Regis is known for its balmy microclimate thanks to its sheltered position. Home to Butlins holiday camp, the town attracts over 385,000 visitors per year to Butlins alone, along with many others who flock to this quaint coastal town to enjoy sunny skies, sandy beaches and ice-creams!
Arun District Council and its waste contractor, Biffa, have been keen supporters of the BinForGreenSeas project right from the very beginning, so it is great to finally see the bin at this wonderful location.
The BinForGreenSeas was unveiled on Blackpool promenade by Cllr Fred Jackson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Change for Blackpool Council and Fazilette Khan, Founder trustee of GreenSeas Trust.
The bin is prominently sited between the RNLI building and the iconic pier.
Not many people realise that a major attributor of plastics at sea is careless littering. In fact, in the UK 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are used annually Each day, 700,000 are littered.
At GreenSeas Trust we don’t just talk about the marine litter problem – we take action too!
Our conspicuous, nautically themed bin is functional and educational. The tagline, “Throw Marine Life a Lifeline,” is there to prick people’s conscience. We want to raise awareness of the impact of litter on our oceans and the need to dispose of it responsibly when visiting the beach. Disposing of single-use plastics in any bin with help save marine life.
The litter collected in the BinForGreenSeas will be recycled in accordance with the local authority practices to further reduce its impact on the environment.
GreenSeas Trust hopes that other councils with take this lead and roll out the BinForGreenSeas in their up and down the country.
If you are a council or company interested in having a BinForGreenSeas, why not get in touch. Email us: info@greenseas.org
Join us and be part of the journey!
Scroll down to see our journey
We are now at the manufacturing stage!
Recycled PET plastics is used in each BinForGreenSeas
The BinForGrenSeas is being made with fibreglass material, which makes it strong and durable and will last many, many years. The whole process of manufacture is very labour intensive. In the first instance, a pattern or plug is made from which a mould can be taken. Layers of fibreglass and resin are then applied onto the surface to make the final finished product.
The resin being used to make the BinForGreenSeas has recycled PET plastics as one of its key components. In fact, it is around 450 drinks bottles worth of plastics!
This means, not only is our bin changing human behaviour with its bold as brass shape and size and its emotive message about saving marine life but also, diverts a whole lot of plastic from being incinerated or put in landfill. Now that is what we call a positive result!
Watch the video: #IETSaveOurSeas
We are thrilled to be partnering with Blackpool Council. Blackpool has been the UK’s most popular seaside destination for more than a century. Loved and visited by millions, it boasts beautiful sandy beaches and fabulous attractions.
The BinForGreenSeas is designed by Emily Hodgkinson and George Davis, product design students from the University of East London.
“Having grown up in Sussex and spending my childhood visiting beaches all along the south coast, this particular project was personal for me from day one. I felt compelled to make this project a success by creating a memorable design which would open people’s eyes to the issue of plastic waste. I want to make sure our oceans and beaches are a clean and natural environment, so that children for generations to come, can create the childhood memories I was lucky enough to have. I’m just thankful that being a product design student has put me in the position where I could actually make a difference.” Emily Hodgkinson, Product Design Student – University of East London.
“As a product design student, working alongside GreenSeas Trust in the designing of a bin has broadened my outlook on the design world and how product designers shape the world, positively and negatively. Taking part in the project has shown me what a huge impact plastic waste can have on the natural environment but it has also shown me how, if we work together, we can help stop this issue. The GreenSeas Trust beach clean at Littlehampton and the BinforGreenSeas project will help influence my future designs to be more environmentally aware.” George Davis, Product Design Student – University of East London.
Read more about what inspired them in our December 2018 blog
It is not unusual to go to a beach and find, despite a lot of rubbish bins being there, people don’t use them.
Result? Plastics are killing, strangling or smothering sea life.
Why? A lack of awareness. People don’t realise that apart from just the aesthetics, the consequences of plastics in our oceans effects humans too – individually and collectively.
Solution? BinForGreenseas Project. The trust is working with design students from two of UK’s top universities to change the; ‘Can’t be bothered’ attitude to one of responsible waste disposal.
Strathclyde University – DMEM
The final year students showcased their bin design at DMEM Industrial Projects Presentation Day in Glasgow. The worthy young designers (left to right, Scott, Astrid, Cody and James) were given certificates by trustee, Fazilette (centre) to acknowledge their hard work and interesting design ideas to the BinForGreenSeas project.
The proposed GreenSeas bin presented by Team 27 on Industrial Projects Presentation Day
University of East London
Year 1 student competition
The BinForGreenSeas project, supported by Arun District Council and its waste contractor Biffa, saw nine students create design concepts as part of their first year course work. Competition winner, Laura Carusato was awarded a trophy by Fazilette Khan, founding trustee of the GreenSeas Trust.
Year 1 product design students, judges and senior lecturers from UEL
Judges with the winner
Left to right : Darren Wingrove, project manager at Logoplaste Innovation Lab, Biffa business development manager Karen Sherwood, Laura Monica Carusato , Fazilette Khan, Edina Seiben, GreenSeas Trust project coordinator.
Students from the University of East London surveyed the shoreline to determine elements that need to be incorporated into the design of ‘behaviour-changing’ waste bins. The marine debris found was analysed and quantified. Not surprisingly, plastics objects made up the majority of the litter found.
The windy conditions at Littlehampton, did not deter the students, whose enthusiasm had many locals enquiring about the project and wanting to know how they could lend their support to the project.
Strathclyde University; Dept of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM)
Our team from University of Strathclyde University have taken up the challenge to come up with a bin design that will ‘stick out like a sore thumb.’
Visualising a concept to prick people’s conscious is not an easy thing. The students have been resorting to a number of resourceful ways to whittle their ideas down to take it to the next stage.
At Langley Park Boys’ School in Bromley, for Greenseas Trust promoted the issues of marine garbage and its effects on the marine ecosystem. The nautically themed music played by the orchestra of students and professionals of Everyone Matters, accompanied the slide show. Fazilette Khan, later talked about how making a few conscious changes in recycling habits can benefit the planet.
Cigarette butts filters are made of cellulose acetate fibres (a plastic) which does not degrade. These fibres, each approximately 20 μm in diameter are packed tightly together. These filters contain toxins such as, carcinogenic chemicals, pesticides, and nicotine which leach into the marine environment and poison microbes, insects and fish or suffocate marine wildlife. Cigarette butts are the number one item found in coastal clean-ups. It is estimated there are over 4 trillion cigarette butts in the oceans – and counting.
GreenSeas Trust wants to eradicate thoughtless disposal of cigarette butts on beaches and in drains through a major awareness campaign. We want smokers to behave responsibly and put their butts in designated bins or pocket ashtrays.
With the support of Mairie de Cannes, GreenSeas Trust volunteers gave away free pocket ashtrays and leaflets to highlight the effects of cigarette butts in the sea. Working as a group, picking up litter and cigarette ends, caught the attention of the beach-goers. Many of whom were surprised to learn cigarette filters are made of plastics.
The next generation looking on, keenly wanted to participate in the activities.GreenSeas Trust has been lobbying for UK to adopt the deposit refund systems for plastic beverage containers.
Studies show only 57% of plastic bottles are recycled in the UK. This means that everyday 15m plastic bottles are not recycled!
Reverse vending machines (RVM’s) give back money to the consumer when plastic beverage bottles are 
returned.
Even if some consumers are not bothered about the deposit they pay, others will profit by picking them up. It adds a value to plastic litter!
Returned plastic bottles can then be recycled to make new ones and since they are removed at source, it stop’s them from ending up as marine litter. It can create new green jobs too!
Countries which have adopted the Deposit Refund Scheme on average, have seen and improved recycling rate of > 80%.
Awareness campaign for cruise ship crews
GreenSeas Trust embarked upon a campaign for cruise ship crews to respect the pristine environments the ships sail into. From vessel to vessel, crew numbers vary, often coming from a diverse range of backgrounds. It was imperative to overcome the, “It’s not my country,” way of thought and instil a kindred sense of community for the people and environments the ships visit.
Using a series of posters, lectures and visual aids, GreenSeas Trust was able to highlight the problems of marine debris and how it effects each and every one of us. Since most crew members often come from coastal regions themselves and have diets that include fish, the trust focused their attention to the effects of the life-cycle of plastics and other rubbish on marine animals and the toxins they release as they breakdown. This led to a successful outcome with beaches and beauty spots being left intact and untouched by thrash.
GreenSeas Trust pioneered at a grassroots level the “Litter Kills Marine Life” program on the island of Tobago.
Like many of the islands in the Caribbean, Tobago’s economic survival is based on tourism. Buccoo Reef, once a place of outstanding natural beauty, rich in coral and marine life, has been bleached due by marine pollution and climate change.
To combat the problem of marine debris, GreenSeas Trust used a three pronged approach.
The Bins on the Beaches project, saw GreenSeas Trust placed garbage bins along the island’s popular beaches of Swallows, Grafton, Turtle, Buccoo, Grange Bay, and Lowlands BeachPreviously, Tobago had not benefitted from having any bins, instead, it relied on the sporadic services of cleaning gangs. Negotiating with the government, GreenSeas Trust received a pledge by the Department of Public Health to empty the bins on a regular and scheduled basis.
Environmental teaching
In a joint initiative with the Ministry of Education, GreenSeas Trust implemented Litter Awareness Program in schools and other educational institutes, highlighting the harm to marine life from chemical leeching, plastic ingestion the smothering of coral polyps.
“You can never know what the impact of environmental teaching to children of all ages might have in the long term, “said Fazilette Khan, a trustee of the organisation, “When one appreciates the island’s livelihood depends in one way or another on the environment, whether it is from fishing, agriculture or tourism, it goes a long way in shining a beam on priorities. No one these days is unaware of the fact that toxic chemicals including those from batteries, car tyres, plastics and petroleum products can leach into the soil and the water and cause severe damage to the ecosystem, but unless it is given constant focus, it tends to get left on the back burner.”
Finally, GreenSeas Trust advocated Recycling.
The Trust approached the business community highlighting the potential cost savings achievable. As a result, Tobago is currently recycling aluminium and glass with other recyclable streams being explored in the future.
GreenSeas Trust’s presence and campaigns has brought forth a commitment by the Tobago House Assembly to uphold the island’s new motto of; Clean, Green and Serene.
Leave the beach as you would wish to find it - Pristine
In the UK, and many countries for that matter, the water that come out of the tap is as good if not better than bottled water. However, if concerns or taste is an issue, why not filter the tap water. It would save you money AND save the planet.
According to a recent study, the average UK family uses 500 bottles per year but only recycles 280 of them. This means, approximately 15 million bottles EACH DAY are not being recycled. Some end up in the sea contributing to the Great Garbage Patches around the world. Do your bit, put them into the recycling bin.
Over 500,000 straws were found in single day beach clean. The consequences of these plastics can be devastating for marine life.
If that’s not bad enough, each butt leeches 200+ chemicals into the surrounding water.
Drains are meant for rain and water. Overflows of drains go directly into rivers and waterways. Any rubbish/cigarette butts thrown down into one will eventually end up in the sea.
Be a considerate citizen, use a rubbish bin to thrown away your litter.
Less than one per cent of the estimated 2.5 billion paper and plastic cups used in the UK each year are recycled. Contrary to most peoples beliefs, these cups are very hard to recycle because of the plastic lining.
There are over 5.25 trillion plastic particles in the seas. Some are getting into the food chain.
02-Oct-2019
01-Oct-2019
03-Oct-2019
02-Oct-2019
Telegraph
July 2019
Bin-For-Green-Seas
Planet saving ‘BINFORGREENSEAS’ woos Seaside visitors
10/06/2019 
Blackpool Council becomes first to support BinForGreenSeas project 
10 June 2019
Blackpool Council is the first to support the BinForGreenSeas project
06 June 2019
New Behaviour-Changing Bin Destined For Blackpool on World Environment Day
07/06/2019
UK to get its first ever rubbish bin made from recycled plastic
02/06/19
Blackpool Supports BinForGreenSeas
GreenSeas Trust and Blackpool Council to Launch UK’s first ever BinForGreenSeas 
May 31, 2019
Blackpool leads the way with a new scheme to help save our seas
30 May 2019
New Behaviour-Changing Bin Destined for Blackpool on World Environment Day
May 30, 2019
BinForGreenSeas destined for Blackpool on World Environment Day
30 May 2019
UEL students design bin for environmental charity GreenSeas Trust
14 May 2019
Students design impactful bin to cut down on beach plastic waste
10 May 2019
Design students create eco-friendly bin to help collect plastic 
pollution on Britain’s beaches
10 May 2019
IET challenges young entrepreneurs to solve plastic and toxic waste threat
Published Monday, January 14, 2019
Save Our Seas student Challenge
15th January 2019 12:27 pm
IET Member news – Nov 2018
Final design of the BinForGreenSeas revealed at this year’s Maritime HR Association conference
MAY 28, 2018
Behavioural change through BinForGreenSeas
Green beach bin adds fun to throwing rubbish away
INNOVATIVE BEACH BIN CREATED TO TACKLE BEACH WASTE
New bin makes waste disposal fun
NEWS RELEASES 
New Bin Design Could Help Tackle Waste On Beaches
New beach bin could help tackle waste on beaches
NEW BEACH BIN COULD HELP TACKLE WASTE ON BEACHES
New Bin Design Could Help Tackle Waste On Beaches
Student’s nautical idea to beat beach waste
Students’ Innovative Bin Designs to Change our Disposable Culture
Students hit the beach to design a behaviour-changing bin
Read full article here (portcare.com)
Read full article here (seanews.co.uk)
Read full article here (maritimeprofessionals.net)
Charity and University team up to tackle plastic pollution in the sea
Read full article here (allaboutshipping.co.uk)
Litter pick forms part of a beach bin project
Read full article here (littlehamptongazette.co.uk)
Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne with trustee, Fazilette Khan. One of eight special readers invited to partake in the prestigious Mission to Seafarers annual Christmas event. It was held at St Michael Paternoster Royal, in the City of London.
Read full article here (seecannes.com)
Read full article here (monacolife.net)
Read full article here (shippingobserver.com)
Read full article here (allaboutshipping.co.uk)
Article by Fazilette Khan about the impact of the millions of tonnes of rubbish on our wildlife.
Read full article here (PDF, 7 Mb.)
HELP US TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE
This is the home of the GreenSeas Trust blog, a place where we will post news and blogs to keep you up-to-date with the latest goings on in our fight to save the oceans. You will find news about current topics, tips and tricks, in-depth information and updates on our work.
Blog #17: CSR Policies and Sustainability: Save Our Seas at Work!
Blog #16: Plastic Fashion: How Much is your Wardrobe Damaging the Ocean?
Blog #15: Combatting Waste: A Habit for Life, Not Just for Christmas
Latest news: Swale Council to Place 3 x #BinforGreenSeas!
Blog #14: Where Does Ocean Plastic Come From?
Blog #13: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Nope – Plastic Waste is Here to Stay.
Blog #12: It’s Raining Plastic: Some of the Most Unusual Types of Plastic Pollution
Blog#11: Thinking Outside the Box: Innovative Solutions for Alternative Plastics
Blog#10: World Environment Day: the Highlights
Blog#9: Can Behavioural Attitudes Really Be Changed?
Blog #8: Saving Our Seas for Future Generations: Engaging Young People in Environmental Issues
Blog #7: The Coffee Cup Conundrum
Blog #6: A Snapshot of UK Recycling
Latest news: GreenSeas Trust is Tesco Bags of Help Winner!
Blog #5: Yearly Roundup: Our 2018 Achievements
Blog #4: Calling all Engineers: Come and Make a Difference to Our Oceans
Latest news: Blackpool Council Joins the GreenSeas Mission
Blog #3: Don’t Bottle it Up: Speaking Out About the Benefits of Tap Water
Blog #2: Bags of Potential: Why Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags is Such a Promising Idea
100% of your donations will be used for this project.
To find out more email us at: info@greenseas.org
DON'T LET PLASTICS STRANGLE OUR MARINE LIFE
