1. THE GREAT PACIFIC
GARBAGE PATCH
The largest accumulation of plastic in the ocean, known as the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch (GPGP), is located between Hawaii and California.
It's mostly the result of substantial plastic sources from Asia, as well as
intensified fishing activity in the Pacific Ocean.
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
CANADA
Hawaii
San
Francisco
Alaska
Great Pacific
Garbage Patch
Garbage concentration
Kilograms per square kilometer
0.1 1 10 100
Source: The Ocean Cleanup
SOURCES:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22939-w#Sec15
https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-018-22939-w/MediaObjects/41598_2018_22939_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2018/03/22/great-pacific-garbage-patch-grows/446405002/
https://theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
SIZE AND LOCATION
Source: Nature
More than half of all plastic in the GPGP is considered megaplastics which are
greater than 50 cm in size and more than 80% is 5 cm or greater.
MICROPLASTICS
(0.05 - 0.5 cm)
8%
MACROPLASTICS
(5 - 50cm)
26%
MESOPLASTICS
(0.5 - 5 cm)
13%
MEGAPLASTICS
(>50cm)
54%
Fishing nets and gear
Hard plastic, plastic sheet, and film
Plastic pellets
Foamed plastics
52%
47%
<1%
<1%
Contrary to popular beliefs, fishing equipment,
not single-use plastics, represent the majority of
the Great Pacific Garbage Patch plastic mass.
Source: Nature
According to a study published in Nature on the languages found on the plastic
debris, more than three quarters were from Asian countries.
Source: Nature
30% - Japanese
A reduction in our seafood intake may be the greatest
way to reduce plastic in the oceans and in the Great
Pacific Garbage Patch to ensure thriving ocean
ecosystems.
Abbreviations:
GPGP – Great Pacific Garbage Patch
cm – Centimeter
2
km – Squared kilometer
Size of Debris of Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Types of Debris
Languages Found on Garbage
30% - Chinese
17% - Korean
12% - English
9% - Spanish
2% - Other
