Tuesday 9 September 2025

Sydney Airport, in collaboration with environmental technology leader Seabin™, is working on an innovative five-year plan for the analysis, removal and reduction of plastic pollution in waterways flowing through to the airport.

The project will use a process of elimination to identify sources and patterns of plastic pollution across three strategic sites, beginning with a 12-month trial at Engine Pond East. Upon success, the project will expand to two additional locations along the Alexandra Canal before exploring opportunities to extend litter analysis and removal into the Cooks River.

Rhonda Lenardon, Sydney Airport’s Senior Manager Environment, said: “Our partnership with Seabin™ goes beyond collecting rubbish - it’s about turning action into evidence, harnessing technology, and working with the community to drive lasting environmental change.”

The partnership supports Sydney Airport’s ongoing commitment to the local environment by using advanced technologies to identify, analyse, remove and reduce litter in local waterways, using data-driven strategies to protect and improve waterway health.

Why This Matters

Plastic pollution and litter in urban waterways present serious risks to aquatic ecosystems, public health, and community wellbeing. To address this, Sydney Airport is taking proactive steps to better understand the nature and impact of litter in the surrounding waterways.

This partnership also aligns with two core actions in Sydney Airport’s forward-looking environment strategy: collecting detailed litter data and collaborating with stakeholders to reduce pollution in waterways adjacent to airport lands.

“We’re excited to work with Sydney Airport on this trial, building on our work conducted in Sydney Harbour, this location will further increase our impact in the analysis and removal of litter in Sydney’s waterways,” said Pete Ceglinski, CEO and Co-Founder of Seabin™.

“We look forward to working with local councils, NGOs, and communities, and other key stakeholders to keep litter out of our waterways, for cleaner oceans and healthier communities.”

Key parts of phase one of the five-year plan include:

• Deployment of innovative technology to categorise types of litter found in the waterway
• Analysis of how weather events influence litter accumulation
• Stakeholder collaboration to translate data into meaningful environmental actions
• Plans for future expansion to additional sites based on trial success
• Open access data sharing to encourage collaboration and community engagement

The trial aims to:

• Provide an evidence-based understanding of litter types and litter flow patterns
• Foster strong partnerships with community groups, councils, and environmental advocates
• Lay the groundwork for scaling efforts across multiple locations

The project was inspired in part by local young environmental advocate Jenson Wade - winner of the Cook Awards - Young Environmentalist of the Year Award 2023 of which Sydney Airport is a proud sponsor.

The first litter extraction at Engine Pond East will be followed by ongoing monitoring, data analysis, and reporting through to mid-2026, with plans underway to invite environmental journalists, community leaders, and policymakers to participate in upcoming extractions and project milestones.

Sydney Airport and Seabin™ are committed to transparent communication throughout the project. Regular updates, data sharing, and community involvement activities will be promoted through social media, local newsletters, and media outlets.

Images can be found here.

About Seabin™

Seabin™ is a pioneering environmental technology company focused on cleaning oceans, waterways, and harbours by capturing floating litter and microplastics. Using data-driven approaches, Seabin™ empowers communities and organisations to tackle plastic pollution effectively.