New bin installed to help tackle plastic pollution in Margate

As part of Thanet District Council’s continued drive to protect the environment,  a new dedicated recycling bin for plastics has been installed in Margate. 

Positioned near the Clock Tower on Marine Drive, it is hoped that the bin’s eye-catching design will encourage people to dispose of their plastic waste responsibly, protecting Margate’s coastline and marine life from plastic pollution.

The colourful BinForGreenSeas was officially launched on Thursday 8 May 2025, at a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Margate, council officers, and representatives from environmental charity GreenSeas Trust, who funded the bin. 

The GreenSeas Trust aims to help people understand the consequences of littering on beaches and waterways, highlighting the harmful effect this has on marine life and the health of local communities.

Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services, said: “We welcome this new recycling bin in the centre of Margate. Initiatives like this are crucial to supporting the council to keep beaches and town centres clean and welcoming. We’re heading into the busiest time of the year now, when we anticipate better weather, and inevitably more rubbish. 

“I’d like to remind people to use the recycling and waste bins along the coast, or take their rubbish home with them. Everyone has a part to play in keeping plastic out of the sea.”

Fazilette Khan, MNM, CEnv, IEng, Founder Trustee of GreenSeas Trust said: “This installation in Margate marks another step forward in our national campaign to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. In 2024 alone, the Green Seas Trust prevented close to a million plastic bottles from reaching our seas. Thanks to a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, we’re excited to bring this mission to Margate – a stunning coastal town that values its community, beaches, and environment.

“The BinsForGreenSeas campaign is a nationwide initiative that pairs eye-catching design with a powerful environmental message. More than just bins, these installations serve as public reminders of the urgent need to protect our oceans from plastic waste.”

Plastic pollution remains a major environmental challenge. Single-use plastics such as bottles, wrappers, and cigarette butts are the most commonly found litter on UK beaches. These items degrade into harmful microplastics, which damage ecosystems, threaten wildlife, and even enter the human food chain.

Thanet District Council works with a number of town and parish councils and voluntary groups to help keep our beaches and towns clean and litter-free. 

Anyone who is interested in joining a planned litter pick, or organising one of their own, can find out more on the council’s website.