Environment and Sustainability Innovation News

Seabin Smart Tech successfully removes plastic from Sydney Harbour

Eliza Sayon Jan 13, 2022

2 min read

New Aussie tech has been successfully being tested at Sydney Defence sites, with Seabin Smart Technology removing over 2,920kg of plastic, fuels and detergents from the Sydney Harbour in the past 12 months.

Thanks to the successful one-year trial of the new Seabin Smart Technology, plans are now underway to expand the technology.

Aside from this, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the trial had exceeded all expectations.

“Over a two-week period, the Seabins captured 6,198 items of waste from Sydney Harbour, including 3,500 microfibres and microplastics, and 2,000 unidentifiable pieces of plastic waste,” Minister Price said.

“This is Australian technology which costs as little as $1 a day to run and which can have huge dividends for the environment.”

With the successful trial, Minister Price stated that three Seabin units would be permanently maintained at Garden Island.

The trial, which not only involved Defence but also its industry partner Veolia Environmental Services, was an example of the Australian Government’s commitment to tackling waste and recycling.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that it was a great time to focus on the role everyone can all play in protecting the environment.

“We have made waste and recycling a national priority and it is one that requires us all to get involved,” Minister Ley said.

“Industry is certainly stepping up at the same time and innovative technology like the Seabin is another important example.”

Meanwhile, Member for Wentworth David Sharma said that the project would greatly benefit beaches across the Sydney Harbour’s east.

He also stated that the success of the trial on Sydney Harbour would help focus all Australians on the importance of keeping waterways clean.

“Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s great waterways and this technology is an important sign of our commitment to keeping it that way,” Mr Sharma said.

“Defence has always been a part of the Harbour landscape both through current sites like Garden Island and our former Defence Sites now managed through the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.”

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.