The Ocean Cleanup's Solution
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| Picture by The Ocean Cleanup |
There are several
solutions to preventing plastic usage, such as reusable bags, alternative
plastics, etc. But there must be solutions for the plastic that is already in
our oceans, rivers, and in our ecosystems. Most of that plastic will not
degrade for many, many years, which is why some organizations are working on
projects to get rid of the plastic where it is harming marine life the most;
our ocean.
One organization, The
Ocean Cleanup, has created a prototype system that will reduce the plastic in
the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (a large area of plastic in the Pacific Ocean).
The Ocean Cleanup has taken multiple steps to prevent their own prototype from
further adding to the problem, such as not using plastic netting and instead
using non-permeable screens. The prototype works by creating a U shape
with the non-permeable screens (seen above), which will then catch the
plastic. The screens are about five feet above and below the ocean's
surface.
The process started in
2016 and now the The Ocean Cleanup is ready to test their prototype in the
Pacific Ocean this summer. If the prototype is successful, it could be possible
to take that plastic out of the ocean and reuse it for items that will not harm
the ocean again.
To find out more and
watch the progress of this cleanup solution, here are some references:
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