Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about Seabin — how we remove plastic and microplastics, how we measure the impact, and how to get involved.
What is Seabin?
Seabin is an ocean-health initiative that removes plastic and microplastics from the water and turns what’s captured into real, measured data. Every piece pulled out is counted and catalogued, so the impact isn’t just a feel-good story — it’s numbers you can see.
How does Seabin remove plastic and microplastics from the water?
A Seabin is a floating unit fitted in a harbour or marina. Water is drawn through it, floating litter and microplastics are trapped in a catch bag, and the water flows back out.
What is the Ocean Health Lab?
It’s where the captured litter goes to be counted and catalogued by hand, category by category — from plastic bottles down to pre-production pellets and microfibres. It’s how a bag of wet litter becomes a dataset.
Where does Seabin operate?
Seabin is currently operating in Sydney Harbour. We are hoping to expand into other countries and are aiming to be in 100 cities by 2025.
What happens to the litter you collect, and can I see the data?
It’s weighed, sorted and analysed in the Ocean Health Lab, then uploaded to a dashboard. Partners can access their impact data on demand, and we publish summaries showing what’s been removed and what it tells us.
Do you really capture microplastics?
Yes. Microplastics make up the large majority of what we count — in our most recent extraction they were over 88% of all items removed, including foam, pre-production pellets and microfibres.
How can my business partner with Seabin?
We offer partnership packages from entry level up to fully bespoke corporate programs. Each one funds clean-up and gives you the data and assets to show your impact. Get in touch via seabin.io to find the right fit.
What do partners actually get?
Depending on the package: your logo on our site and dashboard, an annual Impact Certificate, data reporting, branded content, and at higher tiers a branded Seabin unit, employee lab-tour days, volunteer days and social campaigns.
How can individuals support Seabin if they’re not a business?
Join the newsletter for impact updates, follow along at @Seabin_Project, and look out for volunteer opportunities.
Are your impact figures exact?
They’re robust estimates, and we’re upfront about how they’re made. A portion of each haul is analysed by hand in the lab (around 41% by weight last extraction), and the totals are scaled from that sample — so figures are clearly marked as estimates, not guesses.