Kingspan has agreed to fund a clean-up mission by Australian clean-tech start-up Seabin, using Seabin’s pioneering technology to collect microplastics and other ocean debris from the water.
Kingspan provides energy-efficient building envelope solutions and high-performance insulation products for buildings, as well as rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and energy storage. The partnership with Seabin is the result of Kingspan’s 10-year Planet Passionate global sustainability program, which includes a commitment to supporting five ocean clean-up projects around the world by 2025.
Seabin has classified Jones Bay Wharf, located in Sydney, as a high-volume marine litter accumulation point. Seabin recently conducted a pilot program in Sydney that collected more than 16 tonnes of marine debris and filtered more than 3.2 billion litres of water for microplastics, plastic, fibres, oil and other contaminants. The partnership with Kingspan will result in almost 1.3 tonnes of marine debris, the equivalentof 31,000 plastic straws, being collected from the Kingspan sponsored Seabin unit at Jones Bay Marina, as part of Seabin’s Sydney Smart City Program.
Seabin is now replicating its model around the world, with the goal of reaching 100 cities by 2050. Commercial partnerships, such as the one with Kingspan, will help Seabin achieve its aims by providing funding for environmental technicians to service and maintain the units, collect data, engage with local communities, and facilitate educational events. Kingspan plans to support a second Seabin unit in Los Angeles in 2022.
Seabin’s 100 Smart Cities Program – Sydney is the second ocean clean-up project to receive support as part of Kingspan’s Planet Passionate commitment. In 2019, Kingspan began a three-year partnership with the ECOALF Foundation to remove up to 150 tonnes of waste from the Mediterranean each year through the foundation’s network of fishermen. Kingspan is using as much of the ocean plastic recovered as possible in its production.
Pete Ceglinski, CEO and co-founder of Seabin, said, “Having a multi-national like Kingspan come on board and support our mission of cleaner oceans is nothing short of inspiring and an example for others to follow. The team and I look forward to working with Kingspan here in Sydney, and over in LA as we scale our operations to increase our positive impact across the globe.”
Bianca Wong, global head of sustainability at Kingspan, said, “Kingspan is delighted to partner with Seabin as part of our Planet Passionate program. Protecting the natural environment is a key focus of this program, and Kingspan is excited to work with Seabin to help improve ocean health and remove pollutants from waterways around the world.”
Kingspan
Source: Architecture - architectureau
