Plastics and Other Litter

Amazing YouTube video of a potential solution to clean up the plastic in the Pacific Garbage Patch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROW9F-c0kIQ

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According to the University of Siena in Italy, a major reason for the increase in the amount of plastic in the ocean is because of the global increase in plastic production. In the 1950s, the annual production was 1.5 million tons. By 2011, that number had spiked to 280 million tons.

Degradation of Various Litter

Glass Bottle: 1 million years Monofilament Fishing Line: 600 years Plastic Beverage Bottles: 450 years Disposable Diapers: 450 years Aluminum Can: 80-200 years Foamed Plastic Buoy: 80 years Foamed Plastic Cups: 50 years Rubber-Bood Sole: 50-80 years Tine Cans: 50 years Leather: 50 years Nylon Fabric: 30-40 years Plastic Film Container: 20-30 years Plastic bag: 10-20 years Cigarette Butt: 1-5 years Wool Sock: 1-5 years Plywood: 1-3 years Waxed Milk Carton: 3 months Apple Core: 2 months Newspaper: 6 weeks Paper Towel: 2-4 weeks

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

While its name may be misleading, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not actually a visible patch of floating garbage. In fact, one could sail through this area without being aware. Rather it is called this because of the exceptionally high concentrations of pelagic plastic - or plastic found in the pelagic zone of the ocean - that has been trapped in the currents of the North Pacific Gyre.