The technology group Wärtsilä's project to bring floating rubbish bins to Finland is making progress. The project is being executed in honour of Finland's centenary. The first Seabin marine rubbish bin in all of Northern Europe was launched and placed in test use today in Uunisaari, off the coast of the Kaivopuisto district of Helsinki. Another floating rubbish bin will be installed in Helsinki at the turn of June.
Wärtsilä will be operating as the Seabin Project's global pilot partner for the next three years. The other six pilot partners are La Grande Motte in Southern France, Porto Montenegro in Montenegro, Port Adriano in Mallorca (Spain), Butterfield in Bermuda, and Safe Harbor Marinas in the United States. Seabin Project launched its new V5 Hybrid model at the end of April. It then began installing prototypes at its pilot partners' sites. For a three-month trial period, the pilot partners will provide information about how the floating rubbish bins have functioned. Seabins are expected to go on commercial sale in August.
For the duration of the partnership programme, Wärtsilä is donating floating rubbish bins to the City of Helsinki and the Port of Helsinki, which will be responsible for operating and maintaining the floating bins in Helsinki. Wärtsilä is also negotiating the donation of floating rubbish bins for the Turku guest harbour on the Aurajoki river and for the city of Vaasa.
Wärtsilä is also continuing its long-term collaboration with the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association, working towards a clean marine environment. In 2017, the collaboration and support will be weighted towards the beach clean-up work promoted by the Clean Beach campaign. Wärtsilä has supported the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association's operations and coastal cleanliness since 2009.
The Seabin Project provides solutions to the problem of littering in seas around the world. The project is approaching the challenge from several angles, with special focuses on education, research and technology.
The Seabin is a floating rubbish bin that is located in the water at marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports, where it collects all floating rubbish. Water is sucked in from the surface and passes through the catch bag inside the Seabin. The water is then pumped back into the marina leaving litter and debris trapped in the catch bag to be disposed of properly. The Seabin also has the potential to collect some of the oils and pollutants floating on the water surface. The Seabin Project's team currently uses 12-volt submersible water pumps that can utilise alternative and clean energy sources. These may include solar, wave or wind power, depending on the location and available technology.