Written by: Greg Wiszniewski

Marine debris and pollution consisting mostly of plastic trash is accumulating in oceans around the world. From the surface of the ocean, you might not even realize that a vast garbage patch swirls under the water. With ever-changing content and borders, scientists have difficulty estimating the size of these garbage patches. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch exists in the northern Pacific Ocean, stretching between Japan and the United States.

How the Garbage Patch Accumulated

About 80 percent of the plastic trash that makes up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch originated from land-based activities occurring in North America and Asia. The remaining 20 percent originated from boats and ships on the ocean. Experts estimate that it takes trash approximately six years to leave the coast of North America and end up in the garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean. From Asia, it takes trash only about one year to reach this destination. Because plastic does not decompose, it simply floats in the water, moving along with ocean currents. Some photodegradation occurs from sunlight, which breaks the plastic up into tiny pieces.

Environmental Harm That Has Resulted

Animals living in these areas are experiencing significant harm from the plastic. Sea turtles think the plastic is jellyfish, and eat it. Albatrosses mistake the plastic resin pellets as fish eggs and feed them to their chicks. Other animals become entangled and trapped in the debris. Because the garbage blocks sunlight, algae is not growing as it should and having less algae disrupts the entire food chain. In addition, the plastics floating in the ocean are leeching harmful chemicals into the water, which are likely entering the food chain.

Measures for Reducing and Preventing Ocean Pollution

The size, location, and extensive nature of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch makes cleaning it impractical. A large number of ships would need to work for an entire year to eliminate only a fraction of the plastic from the water. Because cleanup is infeasible, experts focus their efforts on slowing or even stopping the growth of the garbage patches. To do your part to help curb our ocean’s growing trash problem, recycle any plastic you use, or even better, avoid using plastic in the first place.  You can also choose products that are made from biodegradable plastics.

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The National Ocean Service explains the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and potential ramifications of this marine debris. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Explained:

Marine Debris in the North Pacific (PDF): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has compiled information about marine debris floating in the Pacific Ocean.

Lesson: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: This lesson plan explores the causes and results of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Human Footprint (PDF): Humans have had a significant impact on the environment, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch being one result of this negative footprint.

Marine Debris Threat Grows: The National Wildlife Refuge System, a division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shows the impact of marine debris on wildlife.

Green Voice (PDF): This publication of the U.S. National Park Service includes an article about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Grass Roots Garbage Gang Beach Cleanup (PDF): An environmental group explains the importance of cleaning up trash that can become marine debris.

Reduce Plastics Use: One way to minimize the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is to reduce the amount of plastic products you use.

Diving In, Cleaning Up: Explore possible cleaning methods for resolving the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Tide Turns Against Plastic Ocean Pollution: View pictures of trash in the ocean to learn about the devastating impact of this problem.

Ban the Bag: Explore the impact of single-use plastic and its accumulation in the Pacific Ocean in this report.

Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach (PDF): Some people seek to raise awareness of issues such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by writing songs about the marine debris.

Are You a Trash-Talking Litter Bug? (PDF): Learn about typical consumption and waste produced by Americans each day, which contributes to issues such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Marine Pollution: A Look into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Marine pollution floats in the Pacific Ocean, posing a risk to wildlife living around it.

Plastics in the Ocean Affecting Human Health: At least three different patches of garbage exist now in oceans around the world.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: The garbage patches follow ocean currents, typically settling into calm areas of the oceans.