Port Credit Village Marina tackles Lake Ontario trash with water-sucking Seabin

Thestar.com
October 16, 2019
Sabrina Gamrot

There’s something new in the water at Port Credit Village Marina.

The city has announced that a new water waste collector, Seabin, has been installed permanently in the Port Credit marina.

The Seabin is designed to suck in water from the surface of the lake and trap any debris that is floating on the top, including small pieces like cigarette butts, microplastics and even oil.

The bin is nailed to the dock on the south-east corner of the marina.

“Not only does the waste collector help to restore the overall cleanliness of the water, but it also provides us with a great opportunity to educate boaters and residents about the importance of keeping plastic and waste out of our lakes and waterways,” said Jodi Robillos, director, parks, forestry and environment, in a release.

The Seabin will run during regular operating hours of the marina and will be monitored by city staff.

The staff will then record what type of garbage and how much was collected.

The city confirms that the Seabin is safe for fish and other animals.

“This innovative device does not have a negative impact on marine animals and wildlife. In the situation where a fish ends up in the Seabin’s catch basin, it will not be harmed in the underwater filter and can easily be returned to the lake,” Robillos said.

According to the Seabin website, a single unit can hold up to 20 kilograms of debris.

As of 2019, over 800 Seabins have been installed across the world, including in Spain, Australia and New Zealand.