Comments on: Rise Above Plastics

By: George W. Ellison

George W. Ellison — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:00:56 +0000

Aren’t plastic bags made from petroleum? If so, I suspect they could be burned just like coal or oil. If so, “mining” the Patch might be very profitable!! See above Judy Kennedy (3) and (4) Samer. How about a very fine net? Somehow take advantage of the swirling currents?

By: Samer

Samer — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:27:40 +0000

"Levying a tax on plastic bags at stores needs to go through the state legislature for approval. It seems unlikely. This is perhaps less unlikely than you might think. According to the Rise Above Plastics bog, the California State Legislature recently passed legislation aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastic bags. The bill is now in the hands of the California State Senate. If it passes, the bill would require a 25 cent fee on single-use plastic and paper bags at large grocery stores and pharmacies in California, if a 70% reduction in bag usage is not achieved by the end of 2010. Waiting till 2010 is unfortunate, but given the need for compromise in any political endeavor, it probably was necessary. In any case, this is not a lone example. Rise Above Plastics has many other examples of people in communities and businesses who are looking to reduce the amount of plastic in the world's oceans.

By: Jen Jaya

Jen Jaya — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:03:06 +0000

Ewwww. So strange but a friend told me about this Pacific garbage patch last week and here is the proof. Not that it was that unbelievable in the 1st place. I’m telling all my friends! Thanks for your commitment and activism. I will remember to take the reusable groc bags into the store with me.

By: David Starr

David Starr — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:23:48 +0000

I am leading a drive in my community to stem the flow and possibly eliminate plastic bags. I’ve organized a work group to work toward that goal. We are exploring the best way to that end. Levying a tax on plastic bags at stores needs to go through the state legislature for approval. It seems unlikely. Getting local business leaders to endorse cessation of use of plastic bags is a possibility.

I’d like to know what has been accomplished in communities around the world. I’ve read about China’s new regulations banning plastic bags under a certain density. I’ve read about Ireland’s tax on plastic bags. What’s been successfully achieved in the US besides San Francisco’s ban on plastic bags for mega stores?

If Samer will start a discussion on best practices, it will help those of us that are appalled at the current glut of plastic bags that is choking the Earth chart a course for moving ahead.

By: Samer

Samer — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:17:23 +0000

The work on plastics in the ocean seems to fall into two categories: 1) studying the problem and 2) preventing it from getting worse.

Many of the articles I found on the issue reference research by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (http://www.algalita.org). They seem to be at the forefront.

As for prevention, legislation to cut down single-use plastic shopping bags is a fantastic way to proceed. Imposing fees on their use in some countries has been terrific success, reducing bag use by upwards of 90%.

Neither of these approaches directly addresses the question of how to clean up the mess that already exists, though. As far as I can tell, that isn’t something anyone is working on at this time.

By: Chad Keene

Chad Keene — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:20:56 +0000

I appreciate your information on the trash. I have several ideas of ways to remove and utilize the plastics on a large scale and wish to get them to the ears of those with rescources to help. Is there anyone out the who isn’t just talking about the problem?
Thank you so much for what you do.
It works!
*My ideas are international and will re-quire a co-operative effort however I know they can clean this up and if done along side a ban on new plastic manufaturing we can fix this.

By: ROBIN STONE

ROBIN STONE — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:02:21 +0000

Please tell me that someone, somewhere is working on how to remove this heartbreaking and inexcusible trash heap from our ocean! I completely agree with Judy, there has to be a way to use all this plastic and non-bio mess for energy somewhere. This world is entering an energy catastrophe of something isnt done and polluting the few untouched places we have left is not the answer. Clean up our oceans and come up with a way to use this for energy

By: Samer

Samer — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:26:44 +0000

Judy, my understanding is that it would be extraordinarily difficult to clean up the “garbage patch”. Most of the plastics float below the surface, so they’re hard to spot even though there’s so much of it. Also, as the plastics photodegrade, they break down into small resin pellets making it even more of a challenge for clean up.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but certainly it would be logistically and technologically a challenge. And since it’s in international waters, who would step up to pay the bill?

I wish I had the answers to these questions.

By: Judy Kennedy

Judy Kennedy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:39:38 +0000

Every time I see another program or article about this, the size gets bigger. It is obscene. From what I understand, the currents have a lot to do with the constant swirl of the debris, and it’s not that far from Hawaii.

That much plastic must be worth something!!! Is it too far-fetched to wonder why ships passing near don’t vacuum up, scoop up, or whatever and recycle that petroleum-based plastic????? It seems like a better idea than drilling in Alaska for 10 years to get six months worth of oil. Help me understand, please!

By: Pamela O'Neill

Pamela O'Neill — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:19:00 +0000

50+,I have lived near & often visit the Pacific Ocean. In the last month I have been to the beach clam digging and crabbing. Fishing, also a part of our family’s regular fun. The enormity
of the Pacific “Water Fill” has me in tears. I am aware of the Great Pacific Water Patch. I’m ashamed I had no true idea of the major problem.
I understand what we are doing to wildlife and
ourselves. Until now, like the vast majority I walked around with blinders. It was easier and after all, I wasn’t doing all the dumping! I was also led to believe that most of this waste came from New York, so we blamed them and our government. HA! My eyes are wide open now. My plan, learn all I can about not using, and proper disposal of the plastic I do have. Thanks for the eye opener. I plan to spread this news to all I know. Any tips to my email will be greatly appreciated.