Rainmakers Interact and PRPA work together on marine cleanup

Faith Long from Rainmakers Interact showcasing the
Sean bins the group have put in place around the city's waterfront
(image from PRPA)

The Prince Rupert Rainmakers Interact Club and Prince Rupert Port Authority have joined forces to work towards reduce ocean pollution in the region, that through the placement of skimmers known as Seabins a locations around Prince Rupert.

The Six new trash collection devices, specially designed to reduce ocean pollution, have been installed at four marinas around Prince Rupert and Port Edward. The Seabins were purchased by the Prince Rupert Rainmakers Interact Club thanks to a $27,500 investment from the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund.

These innovative garbage skimmers are part of a global network of 860 Seabins located throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific. The devices are equipped with an electric submersible pump that draws water from the surface into a bag which traps floating refuse, including microplastics as small as two millimetres. With an average catch of 1.5 kilograms of waste per day, each Seabin can collect nearly half a tonne of debris each year.

PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson shared his impressions of the work of the local group and its dedication towards its goal of ocean stewardship.

“It is inspiring to see the young members of the Rainmakers Interact Club making an impact on both local and global levels through the Seabin project. Their efforts to promote and invest in sustainable solutions that benefit the environment and the community sets an example for current and future generations, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative through our Community Investment Fund.”

How the program works is reviewed from the following video:

The local group  launched its campaign with support and guidance of the Prince Rupert Rotary Club, which sponsors the Charles Hays Secondary School based  Service group.

Faith Long from the Rainmakers Interact Club noted of the support that the group has received.

“We are grateful to be able to give back to our community by keeping it clean. The Interact Club extends its appreciation to the Prince Rupert Port Authority and other Port partners including DP World-Prince Rupert and AltaGas, for their support on this important global sustainability initiative.”

(image from PRPA)

The six Sea Bins will be located  at the Prince Rupert Yacht Club (2), the Cow Bay Marina (2) and with the Port Edward Harbour Authority (2).

Learn more about the program from this information release from the PRPA.

More notes from the Port can be reviewed here.

Follow more of the Rainmakers Interactive Club from the CHSS website.