Design Summary Analysis Draft #4

According to Jateff in the article "Introducing the Seabin Project" (2018), the Seabin works like a filter that captures the water with pollutants in it, separates them from the water, and makes it clean. Jateff stated that the Seabin requires an external power source that actuates a motor to "pump water to create a vortex", allowing the Seabin to suck in pollutants along with the water. The pollutants are then captured by a detachable "catch-bag", allowing only water to flow through. However, the bag cannot capture bulky objects. Jateff also mentioned that the Seabin could collect microplastic fibres and absorb "petroleum-based oils and detergents." Although the project team created the Seabin with recyclable materials, the project team wishes to make the catch-bag recyclable and improve the Seabin's power sourcing. Jateff explained the Seabin is limited by its size when efficiently collecting large-size garbage and a large amount. Although the Seabin may not be able to counter water pollutants on a larger scale, it can be used for educational learning and raising awareness of plastic pollutants.

Educational learning through the collaboration of the Seabin project with schools would give students insight into how the pollutants affect marine life and the public. In the article "Introducing the Seabin Project", Jateff explained that plastic pollution is "rated in the top three dangers to a continuing healthy ocean." It has made the ocean polluted with microplastics that marine creatures and birds can easily consume. Also, from an online site titled "Facts and figures on marine pollution" (UNESCO, n.d), the site stated a statistic that plastic pollution had caused the death of over a million seabirds and a hundred thousand marine mammals. Sharing related information would educate students in knowing the effects of plastic pollution. Jateff mentioned that the Seabin project collaborated with the Australian Maritime Museum by deploying a Seabin in the basin beside the museum and demonstrating. The museum provides "30 workshops and tours across several curriculum areas." as stated on the Museum site. Additionally, the museum reaches out to students of year one to university level and facilitates hands-on activities. Such approaches grant exposure to the public to learn more about plastic pollutants that affect marine life and people as well. 

On the other hand, Implementing campaigns through the Seabin project to raise awareness can be done by collaborating with organizations and companies the public can access. In Singapore, the Singapore river passes through populated areas such as Clarke Quay, where bars, cafes, and restaurants are many. People may consume food and beverage along the way and throw their garbage into a trash can. But there are moments when these trash cans are already full. And due to a small number of people who do not wish to spend additional time searching for another trash can, they tend to bin their trash without securing it to the can. When there is wind, light-weighted items such as plastic bags, plastic bottle containers, and Styrofoam boxes can be blown into the river. Similar cases can also be found at open-space bars and restaurants. Lum (2018) gave an example in local news showing that there were bins filled till extra garbages were left beside or stacked on top of the trash-can in the area of Bukit Batok West. Eventually, the wind will carry the light-weighted garbage to the surrounding area. To raise awareness of plastic pollutants, the Seabin project could collaborate with organizations such as the Republic Singapore Yacht Club situated near West Coast Park. Selling the Seabin to the committee of the yacht club would help keep their dock clean.

Eventually, doing so may also interest visitors and members from the public to support keeping the waters clean by creating a social group that uses the Seabin to clear garbage found near the park's shoreline and the yacht club's dock. People can also sort the garbage's recyclable materials, thus supporting the act of recycling. There was also a similar campaign that helped raise awareness of plastic debris. Yeo (2015) stated that the International Pellet Watch was used as a monitoring tool for "improving and assisting awareness and education activities" relating to plastic pollutants. A similar approach with the Seabin would help improve social behaviour towards dealing with personal trash.

In conclusion, although the Seabin is not efficient in capturing plastic pollutants on a large scale in the long run, I believe it can be utilized as a tool for educational learning and raising awareness of plastic pollutants to all age groups. 

References: 

- Jateff, E (2018). Introducing the Seabin Project. Australian National Maritime Museum. https://www.sea.museum/2018/06/08/introducing-the-seabin-project 

- Lum, C (2018). Town council to place extra bins and increase frequency of clearing them after Bukit Batok resident's feedback. STOMP Straits Times. https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/town-council-to-place-extra-bins-and-increase-frequency-of-clearing-them-after-bukit

- UNESCO (n.d). Facts and figures on marine pollution. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/ioc-oceans/focus-areas/rio-20-ocean/blueprint-for-the-future-we-want/marine-pollution/facts-and-figures-on-marine-pollution/

- Yeo, B.G., Takada, H., Heidi, T., Ito, M., Hosoda, J., Allinson, M., Connell, S., Greaves, L., McGrath, J. (2015) POPs monitoring in Australia and New Zealand using plastic resin pellets, and International Pellet Watch as a tool for education and raising public awareness on plastic debris and POPs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 101(1), 137-145.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1530157