A Sea of Plastics

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frank 11:51AM December 17, 2010

One option, and a very good idea, it to try going zero waste. Or at least zero plastic. You can do it and encourage others to as well. Encourage grocery stores to have larger bulk sections and bring cloth bags. Growing a garden and making food from scratch is also a big help - less packaging. Make a compost pile. Reduce first then reuse and recycle. The more people working towards a zero waste lifestyle, the better because at the moment, there is nowhere to put the plastic that is in the ocean, nor a feasible way to do it. The main thing we can do is stop adding to it.
"whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it" -Ghandi

Feste of CA 1:06AM April 06, 2010

every single person on this planet can make a difference-start a revolution

isabel of CA 1:05PM March 17, 2010

this is so nasty i would help this but i am to young and still in middle school

destiny of NC 10:19AM March 10, 2010

water and wind can carry trash (especially "micro-trash") into storm drains and rivers, which at some point often end up flowing into the ocean. So any piece of trash you pass by can add to this patches or gyres.
Most everyone litters - although hopefeully not intentionally. You pull something out of your pocket and don't notice that a gum wrapper falls out - or whatever it is. A trashcan gets blown over by the wind. I'm sure billions of pieces of pieces of trash are "accidentally littered" each year.
On the flip side, if everyone picked up one piece of trash each day, imagine what a difference that could add up to.

Robb of CA 11:22PM March 03, 2010

There is no question that the oceans now contain floating masses of plastic, all generated by our consumption here on land. But more importantly, there are "garbage patches" all around us. Just look at the grocery isle of your supermarket; look at the acres and acres of soil covered with plastic; or at the garbage cans in a school yard, overflowing with discarded plastic after lunch.
Over the last years our consumption of plastic has increased dramatically. The only way to address this problem of global proportions is to REFUSE single-use plastics (plastic straws, plastic cups, plastic containers, plastic utensils, plastic bags) and disposable plastics. Please visit www.PlasticPollutionCoalition.org for some more information on the subject. Take the pledge. Be the solution.

Daniella Russo, Executive Director, Plastic Pollution Coalition of CA 11:20PM March 03, 2010

Does anyone know if the cruise ships, cargo ships, etc are still contributing their trash to the ocean?
Wouldn't it be amazing if we human beings just started taking ordinary responsibilities like using less plastic, disposing of it wisely when used, putting human (and animal) needs above profit and momentary comfort and convenience and on and on. Just a looking at the bathroom in a public place when toilet paper is strung on the floor lets me know that too many of us, as a species, put our personal 'wishes' and convenience above the community's.
I like the theme of the World Social Forums "Another World Is Possible." Now how to we help ourselves and others see that as a truth and start creating it?

cielynn schneider of CA 4:18PM March 03, 2010

This is not "Roughage" for fish. Go to the Algalita Foundation website to find out how these little bits of debris make pesticides and other chemicals in water far more easy to ingest by animals who eat the little bits. These little bits of plastic debris make water-borne toxic chemicals more potent, as well as containing toxic chemicals themselves. Then when we eat the fish, it means we get more of these toxic chemicals.
Larger pieces do not act as "roughage", they get stuck in or rip the intestines and stomachs and kill millions of birds and other animals every year. (And occasionally people who accidentally eat plastic!)
I pick up plastic trash when I find it and work to reduce how much is thrown out. Many items cannot be recycled, please use less!

Marianna Tubman of CA 3:10PM March 03, 2010