Do you really know? What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
Dec 10, 2024
Explore the vast expanse of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive collection of 1.8 trillion plastic pieces. Discover its alarming size, larger than multiple countries combined. Understand how this trash vortex forms and its devastating impact on marine life. Learn about the critical role individuals and organizations play in tackling plastic pollution. In just under three minutes, get informed about one of the ocean's biggest challenges!
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Great Pacific Garbage Patch
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or Trash Vortex, is a massive collection of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean.
- Formed since the 1950s, it's larger than France, Germany, and Spain combined.
Plastic Accumulation
- The widespread use of plastic since the 1950s, combined with single-use plastics, contributes to the patch's growth.
- 10 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean yearly.
Formation of Garbage Patches
- Plastic waste circulates due to tides, currents, and Earth's rotation, preventing it from sinking.
- This forms accumulations like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with five such patches existing globally.