'Rubbish bin for the water' Seabin suggested for Weymouth harbour

The floating device sucks up marine litter and reduces plastic waste

Author: Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter Published 19th Mar 2021

Weymouth councillor Kate Wheller has suggested Dorset’s three council-run harbour try ‘sea bins’ – floating devices which suck up marine litter.

She said that despite the efforts of volunteers who litter pick around the harbours at Weymouth, West Bay and Lyme Regis there was often still a lot of rubbish in the water which was difficult, or impossible to reach until it came ashore.

She has asked for Dorset Council to research the use of the bins and explore the costs of providing them.

A response to her question said that all three harbours had signed up to a scheme to tackle the problem of ‘end of life’ fishing gear with a scheme to set up special bins expected to get underway next month.

Steps were also being taken to set up collection points for fishing lines and other items from anglers.

Weymouth harbourmaster Jamie Joyce said the use of sea bins was being considered for the town’s harbour.

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