The Seabin is a simple idea, similar to a rubbish bin in appearance, but fitted with a pump to draw in nearby floating trash.

The concept started when Pete Ceglinski and Andrew Turton, both keen surfers, grew tired of spotting rubbish in the waves.

"Andrew was sick of being out there surrounded by plastic and pollution," Mr Ceglinski told AAP.

"He thought 'we have rubbish bins on land, why can't we have them in the water?'"

Sitting on the water surface, each bin has the potential to vacuum up more than 1.5 tonnes of rubbish and debris from harbours, marinas and ports each year.

It can catch everything from plastic bottles and paper to oils, fuel and micro-plastics less than 5mm in size.

Already the invention has proved popular in 11 countries and the start-up business has attracted interest from scores more, with orders for some 2500 in place.

In Europe, trials of the bin found cigarette butts were the item most commonly collected.

When the invention hits Australian waterways in March, the results might be different.

"There's not as many smokers in Australia," Mr Ceglinski noted.

The Seabin team is searching for a location in Australia for a global head office and plan to develop all new technologies and prototypes on home soil.

They've already received an order for 10 Seabins from the City of Melbourne as well as interest from councils in Sydney, Queensland and Western Australia.

"Our dream is to one day live in a world where Seabins aren't necessary - it sounds a bit contradictory as we are a business, but we'll just find something else to do," Mr Ceglinski said.

Australian Associated Press