THE first seabin designed to trap plastics has been installed in Co Down.
It went in at Bangor Marina today having been bought by Ards and North Down Borough Council and will run for a three-month trial period.
The equipment can sieve two million litres of sea water a year.
The brainchild of two Australian surfers, Pete Ceglinski and Andrew Turton, there are currently more than 200 seabins in operation globally with demand expected to increase.
To date, three seabins have been purchased by the council, with the first being trialled in Bangor Marina. Post pilot, a further seabin will be installed in Bangor Marina and in Portaferry.
If proven successful further seabins will be purchased to bolster the activity.
This project is one of many to be paid for by the council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund, established from money saved by residents engaging with Ards and North Down Borough Council’s recycling scheme.
Over the past four years residents have saved almost £15 million in landfill costs through improved recycling engagement.
Richard Smart, mayor of Ards and North Down, said: "This initiative will help keep our coasts healthy in the fight against the eight million pieces of plastic that find their way into our oceans daily, making the sea a cleaner and safer place for both residents and local marine wildlife".
