Sydney Airport’s first litter extraction: the data is in

Sydney Airport is proud to partner with Seabin™ demonstrating just one of the ways we are committed to sustainability, cleaner waterways and supporting initiatives that protect local ecosystems flowing into Gamay, Botany Bay and beyond.

In September, we launched a partnership with environmental technology leader Seabin™, as part of our broader focus on water quality and plastic pollution.

Two months in, our first litter extraction at Mill Stream has just delivered important results.

Our first extraction

Sydney Airport and Seabin™ staff teamed up to conduct the first extraction of the Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) at Engine Pond East.

A total of 296 kg of litter was removed and recorded by Seabins™ Marine Scientist and Data Manager.

At the Ocean Health Lab, 16,772 individual items were manually counted, resulting in an estimated 292,256 plastic items and 273,790 microplastics captured.

These figures highlight the sheer scale of microplastic pollution, with nearly 94% of captured items being microscopic fragments that pose long-term environmental risks.

Turning action into evidence

Sydney Airport’s Environment Strategy places strong emphasis on water quality, waste reduction and continual improvement. This partnership with Seabin™ takes that commitment into the field, combining science, technology and data to create measurable impact.

As Seabin™ puts it, the goal is to “turn action into evidence” – collecting hard data to better understand pollution sources and guide future prevention efforts.

What’s next for the program

Following this extraction, three more are scheduled over the next 12 months at Mill Stream, continuing to monitor and analyse litter trends in our waterways. This forms part of a pilot trial with Seabin™, underway at Engine Pond East, helping to inform potential expansion to other sites across the airport precinct.

Why It Matters

Marine litter poses a serious threat to ecosystems and biodiversity. By intercepting waste before it reaches the ocean, the Seabin project helps protect marine species and supports global efforts to combat plastic pollution.

Looking Ahead

This data is from the first extraction, with another three scheduled to take place in Mill Stream within the next 12 months. Sydney Airport will continue working with Seabin™ to monitor and reduce marine litter. This is just one of the many steps we’re taking to create a cleaner, greener future for our community and environment.