How to Prevent Plastic Debris From Polluting the Ocean

Out in the Pacific, there's a patch of ocean that is covered by an estimated 3.5 million tons of litter. Known as the North Pacific Gyre, the exact size of this aquatic garbage dump is unknown. Estimates vary from 600,000 square miles to over twice the size of the United States. What is known is that plastics account for over 60 percent of all marine debris. When asked where the plastic is coming from, Charles Moore, founder and research coordinator of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, replied, "The majority comes from urban centers into their storm drainage systems and 'runs off' during rain events...The truth is, we are all responsible, as plastic packaging and waste have become so ubiquitous that none of us are able to properly dispose of it all, much less recycle it."

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce consumption of plastics. Since the largest problem with plastic is that it is not biodegradable, the primary way to keep it from polluting the ocean is to have less of it on the planet. Manufacturing is driven by consumption, so by reducing how much plastic we use, we will reduce how much is made. Replace throw-away plastic items, such as plastic bags, utensils and water bottles, with more sustainable options. Reuse any plastic items you can before recycling them.

• 2

  Recycle. Plastics are hard to avoid entirely, so when you do end up with a product made of plastic, recycle it once it can no longer be reused. Even if your city doesn't offer curb-side recycling of some or all plastics, there will most likely be a recycling facility or grocery store that will take them. Many grocery stores, such as Safeway, New Seasons and Albertsons, have recycling bins for plastic bags. Better yet, take your own reusable bags to the grocery store so you won't have any to recycle.

• 3

  Pick up after yourself and others. For plastic that cannot be recycled, such as bottle caps, make sure it makes it into the trash. Most pollution starts on land and urban runoff accounts for 80 percent of the plastic that makes it way to the ocean. This is especially true of cigarette butts. Not only are almost all cigarette filters made from a type of plastic, they are also the most prevalent litter item in the world.