OUR PROJECTS
THE BinForGreenSeas
A solution-based approach to raise awareness about marine plastics
A BIG, BOLD AND UNMISSABLE WAY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MARINE PLASTICS
At 1.5m in height, the BinForGreenSeas cuts through apathy. The iconic design of this recycling bin for PET plastic waste, helps people make the connection between litter left thoughtlessly on beaches or thrown in waterways and the harmful effect this has on marine life and human health. Each bin is both symbolic and practical in reducing plastic pollution.
In the UK alone, 700,000 plastic water bottles are littered every day. We need to make behaviour changes before it is too late.
Quick Stats of Our Progress
Since 2019
Bins sited
8
Councils
5
BinForGreenSeas now in Portishead
Portishead marina has a new bright addition to its quayside.
7th July 2021
Crowds gathered on the quay for the official opening of the BinForGreenSeas. The first in the South West.
The bin was officially opened by marathon runner and local resident, Ben Smith, who attracted international headlines after running 401 marathons in 401 days for a charity.
From right to left Portishead Town Council officials: Paddy Sterndale (Chair), Nicola Holland, Bob Bull, Paul Gardner with Ben Smith and Fazilette Khan
Children from Portishead Primary School give the thumbs up to the new BinForGreenSeas installation with their own creative works.
A young onlooker is already inspired to recycle plastics!
Canary Wharf – London
The financial capital of London sees a new addition to its promenade.
9th June 2021
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell is the first to put a PET bottle in the latest BinForGreenSeas.
The new bin is located at the entrance to Canary Wharf pier for the Thames Clippers.
“We are making progress but the river Thames is still the second most plastic-polluted river in the UK and it’s a problem that we are noticing all around the world. This is a great initiative to tackle this problem,” said William Russell.
Volunteers & supporters of GreenSeas Trust at the ribbon cutting event.
(Standing, from right) Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell, Trustee, Emir Feisal, Trustee, Fazilette Khan, Managing Director of Canary Wharf Group, Howard Dawber.
CLEVELEYS – Wyre
New seafront BinForGreenSeas installed will encourage people to throw their plastic bottles in the bin and not the sea.
23-September-2020
GreenSeas Trust is proud to announce the siting of the
newest BinForGreenSeas on the seafront at Cleveleys.
The bin is funded by the Rotary Club for North Fylde, District Enforcement and supported by Wyre Council.
From left to right:
Kevan Smart Rotary North Fylde, Warren Hodgson District Enforcement, John Bamford Rotary North Fylde, Brian Ward Rotary North Fylde and Cllr Simon Bridge Wyre Council
SHEERNESS – Isle of Sheppey
The last of the THREE GreenSeas bins for Swale Council installed.
May 2020
Sheerness has received the BinForGreenSeas just in time for the easing of lockdown as people flock to the seaside for respite.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the environment at the council, said, “We’re happy to partner up with the Greenseas Trust to install three plastic bottle recycling bins in Leysdown, Sheerness and Minster Leas. By separating these plastic bottles from the rest of the litter, they can be recycled much more easily.
Protecting our environment for future generations is
important to us, and these bins will help us keep our five-star bathing beaches clean.”
LEYSDOWN-ON-SEA
The second of 3 BinForGreenSeas now sited.
May 2020
Due to COVID-19 GreenSeas Trust was unable to
have a cutting of the ribbon ceremony for the new BinForGreenSeas on the seafront. However, Swale council has reported, the bin is being well utilised in its new prime location and is already making a positive difference to stop littering.
MINSTER LEAS
This picturesque promenade chosen for the very first BinForGreenSeas on the Isle of Sheppey.
06-February-2020
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the BinForGreenSeas was held on 6th February 2020. Guest of honours included Councillor Ken Ingleton, Mayor of Swale and Cllr Tim Valentine, Cabinet Member for Environment from the Green Party and 9-year-old Oliver Huggins who lobbied for recycling bins in Minster Leas.
Oliver leads by example and disposes plastic rubbish into the BinForGreenSeas
BOGNOR REGIS
Arun District Council has been a keen supporter of the BinForGreenSeas project right from the very beginning.
09-October-2019
The 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, Cllr Mrs Warr, Fazilette Khan and Cllr Jim Brooks.
The BinForGreenSeas has enlightening facts about marine plastic litter.
A visitor reads the information on the bin face.
BLACKPOOL
Blackpool Council showcases the first ever BinForGreenSeas.
GreenSeas Trust volunteers and friends turn out in full to support the project’s opening.
Photos: Mark Hakansson
BinForGreenSeas launched on World Environment Day.
05-June-2019
With the iconic Blackpool tower in the background. Fazilette Khan, Founder Trustee stands proudly next to the BinForGreenSeas.
The blustery winds and seas did little to dampen the high spirits for the unveiling of the BinForGreenSeas.
Blackpool first council in UK to have a BinForGreenSeas.
The BinForGreenSeas was unveiled by Cllr Fred Jackson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Change for Blackpool Council.
“We are delighted to be the first council in the country to use this innovative and eye-catching approach to raise awareness and help reduce the quantity of rubbish in our seas,” said Cllr Jackson.
Designers of bin proud to see their drawings turned into reality.
The BinForGreenSeas designers; Emily Hodgkinson and George Davis, product design students from the University of East London with Cllr Jackson.
“We hope that many more seaside towns will take Blackpool’s lead and roll out more bins,” said George.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BINFORGREENSEAS
RECYCLED PLASTICS USED IN MANUFACTURE
Around 450 recycled PET plastic bottles are used in each BinForGreenSeas
The BinForGreenSeas is made from fibreglass, which makes it strong and durable and to last many, many years. In the first instance, a pattern or plug is made from which a mould can be taken. Subsequent bins can be manufactured easily by applying layers of fibreglass and resin onto the mould to make the finished product, but it is still labour intensive. The resin used to make the BinForGreenSeas has recycled PET plastic as one of its key components. 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 it is also diverting a whole lot of plastic from being incinerated or put in landfill. Now that is what we call a positive result!
Universities Unite
We enlisted the help of students from top UK universities to help design the bin
University of East London
Product Design Department
UEL students conduct a fact-finding survey of the shoreline to determine elements that need to be incorporated into the design of the BinForGreenSeas. The marine debris found was analysed and quantified. Not surprisingly, plastic objects made up most of the litter found.
University of London students analyse litter at Littehampton beach
FIRST YEAR PRODUCT DESIGN STUDENTS COMPETITION
As part of their course work, nine students created bin concepts in a competition judged by GreenSeas Trust. Laura Carusato’s entry was assessed best in her class.
First year product design students, judges and senior lecturers from UEL
FINAL DESIGN OF THE BINFORGREENSEAS
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’m just thankful that being a product design student has put me in the position where I could actually make a difference,” said Emily.
“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 it, positively and negatively. Taking part in the project has shown me what a huge impact plastic waste can have on the natural environment. But also, how working together, we can help stop this issue,” said George.
Strathclyde University
Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (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 Fazilette Khan (centre), the charity’s Founder Trustee, to acknowledge their hard work and interesting design ideas for the BinForGreenSeas Project.