Two bins that remove marine debris from the ocean were installed in North Saanich Marina last week, funded by Black Friday profits donated last year by a group of local businesses.
The seabins are essentially floating garbage cans that use a pump to suck in water and debris. A mesh filter lets water pass through, keeping plastic pollution and other garbage in the bin. Each bin can remove an estimated 1.5 tonnes of floating debris per year. Absorbent pads can also soak up oil from the water.
The money for two new seabins at North Saanich Marina came from a “Blue Friday” initiative launched by a group of ocean-conscious small businesses in Victoria last year.
Jeff Duke, founder of sustainable clothing brand L/L Supply and co-founder of Blue Friday, said he used to close for Black Friday to push back against consumerism on what’s generally the busiest shopping day of the year. But he heard that many people choose to take advantage of the deals offered on Black Friday, because it’s the only way they can afford to shop.
“We kind of took that to heart and realized that it wasn’t just people, you know, out necessarily mindlessly spending money,” he said. “So, we figured if they’re going to shop anyways, we might as well give their purchasing some purpose.”
Duke and Blue Friday co-founder Maya Bellay tapped other local businesses who were working on their own sustainable initiatives and pulled them together for a common goal.
Eight businesses donated 100 per cent of their profits from Black Friday in 2019 — more than $15,000.
Most of the businesses are back on board this year, with a couple of new additions. The participating businesses are L/L Supply, Goldilocks, SALT, Zero Waste Emporium, West Coast Refill, Salt and Seaweed Apothocary, the Market Bags, and Wychbury Ave.
All of the money they bring in on Nov. 27 will go toward the installation of more seabins at North Saanich Marina.
The group decided to funnel donations to the Vancouver Island chapter of Surfrider, an environmental organization that works to protect the world’s oceans, because most of the business owners are surfers who hold ocean conservation close to their hearts, Duke said.
Putting money into seabins is a tangible and quantifiable way to create a long-lasting impact on the health of the oceans, he said.
“Everybody that supported it last year, you know, can chalk that under their belt that they they made a huge difference. This is something that’s going to impact the oceans where we live for the next decade. They did that in one day, which is pretty cool,” he said.
Sally McIntyre, chairwoman of the local Surfrider chapter, said the group decided to install the seabins at the North Saanich Marina because there’s already one seabin there and they wanted to support a marina already showing its commitment to protecting the ocean.
Maintenance staff have been emptying the first seabin twice a day and told the group they’re finding a lot of single-use plastics — bags, bottles and bottle caps — styrofoam and oil.
In the new year, Surfrider plans to work with research students at the University of Victoria to audit the items collected in the three seabins.
They hope to produce a report quantifying what’s removed from the ocean by the seabins.
“And that potentially can inform policy in the future surrounding marinas,” McIntyre said.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
