Toothbrushes found during a beach clean up.
Every year, about 300 billion pounds of plastic is produced
around the world, and only a fraction is recycled. Where does the
rest end up? Well, the majority ends up in landfills, but some
finds its way into our oceans. Plastic is valued for its resistance
to degradation, so its life span can be hundreds of years. When
plastic reaches our oceans, it eventually breaks down due to the
action of the sun, wind, and currents, into small, literally bite
sized pieces that wildlife confuse with food. It's an easy mistake
to make.
[ Jump to "What you can do" ]
Trash vortex explained
The trash vortex is one of the most studied areas of plastic
accumulation in our oceans. At its maximum the area can reach the
size of Texas. It is made up of everything from tiny pieces of
plastic debris to large ghost nets lost by the fishing
industry.
As trash swirls through the world's oceans to a handful of
vortexes like this, it leaves a trail of death and destruction
along its path. Plastic is often mistaken for food and has been
found inside marine life of all sizes, from whales to zooplankton.
It has been directly blamed for the death of a wide range of
animals including albatrosses and sea turtles. While massive trash
like ghost nets can ensnare and trap thousands of creatures, there
are concerns that even the smallest pieces of plastic may pose a
problem , as plastic often accumulates in the digestive tract, many
animals essentially choke on plastic intake. Others starve to death
from a lack of nutrition despite a full stomach (such as Laysen
Albatross chicks).
Where does it all come from?
Click to view animation.
Only a small percentage of the trash found at sea is thought to
originate there. So how does the rest of it make it out to sea? It
comes from a variety of sources, from the litter you see on the
streets to industrial waste. Every time it rains, pollution of all
kinds washes from land into storm drains and rivers, eventually
reaching the ocean. Once there, the long-lasting qualities of
plastic mean that it remains in the ecosystem for decades (and
potentially longer), and as more trash accumulates, our oceans and
the inhabitants within them are facing a crisis.
During the year long Defending Our Oceans expedition, scientists
and crew onboard the Esperanza have been sampling the world's
oceans to determine the impact and pervasiveness of plastic in the
ocean environment. During this leg of the expedition, we will
journey into the heart of the vortex, to assess...
What YOU Can Do:
We're all responsible for this mess, and it will take all of us
to stop it from getting worse. It's time to completely rethink how
we as a society use (or abuse) plastic. Here are some things that
you can do right now:
- Every time you see litter, pick it up and dispose of it
properly.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - you've heard it before, but now you
know what happens when you don't. Be conscious of all that you buy,
and be sure to avoid products with excessive packaging, especially
in disposable products.
- Demand more and better recycling facilities in your area.
- Take part in local stream, river and beach cleanups - or
organize one yourself. Though these don't solve the problem, they
are very effective at drawing attention to the greater problem
offshore.
- If you live near the ocean, or a river that drains into it,
your storm drains are probably washing garbage right out to sea. Be
conscious of this and any other potential sources of marine litter
in your area. Demand that these are eliminated.
- Be very conscious of your ecological footprint. Encourage
change though your decisions and do no accept the current paradigm
of use and waste.
Talk trash
Ask experts on board the Esperanza your question.
Trash and the albatross
The story of one bird like many.