The Seabin looks deceptively like an ordinary rubbish bin on first glance, but is designed to float in lakes, harbors and marinas, sifting the waters and capturing debris and polluting liquids in a bag.

The design is made to work all day every day and throughout the year, hovering at the surface of the water and plugged into a shore-side water pump.

The system sucks water and waste into the bin then lets it back out the bottom. Oil separators can be added to the natural fiber bag to sift for both solids and liquids. A single operator can periodically empty the bag.

The bins are highly portable and relatively inexpensive, making them a great solution for local water purification. Right now they remain prototypes, but have been funded for further development.

From its makers: “We have designed and made an automated rubbish bin that catches floating rubbish, oil, fuel and detergents. It designed for floating docks in the water of marinas, private pontoons, inland waterways, residential lakes, harbours, water ways, ports and yacht clubs. Can even be fitted to super yachts and motor yachts!”