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GreenSeas Trust marked a big milestone as the final design chosen for manufacture was revealed at this year’s Maritime HR Association conference, which took place in London on 24th – 25th of May.
The aim of the eye-catchingly designed garbage bin is to act as a visual trigger for the senses to stop people disposing of single-use plastics into the sea. “We want people to connect the dots between daily habits and marine pollution,” said trustee Fazilette Khan.
In collaboration with University of East London, the winning concept was designed by 2nd year product design students Emily Hodgkinson and George Davis. Emily grew up in Sussex and spent her childhood visiting beaches all along the south coast. “This particular project was personal for me from day one,” says Hodgkinson. “I felt compelled to make this project a success by creating a memorable design which would open peoples’ eyes to the issue of plastic waste. I want to make sure the next generation can create the childhood memories I was lucky enough to have.”
For Davis, the project has been an eye-opener as it made him realise just how much plastic waste has an impact on our natural environment. “But”, he says, “it has also shown me how, if we work together, we can help stop this issue.”
“They design they have developed is amazing,” said Khan. “It is iconic and thought provoking. Both students have worked hard to capture our design brief and it certainly fulfils that and much more.” The bin is both functional and has educational value and will be placed in strategic locations along the coast across the UK once funding for manufacturing is obtained. “The elimination of plastics entering the seas and coastal areas is a collective undertaking, but the majority of people feel that it is not their personal problem. We are very optimistic the new BinForGreenSeas will change that attitude,” said Khan.
The Maritime HR Association conference represented some of the biggest global shipowners and shipmanagers. Fazilette Khan, merchant navy officer and chartered environmentalist spoke about plastics at sea and its vital connection to corporate social responsibility and HR.
