Ocean plastics

The Ocean Cleanup sunglasses are priced at US$199 apiece

Environment

Ocean Cleanup debuts its first sunglasses made from plastic waste

As part of its mission to tackle plastic pollution in the marine environment, The Ocean Cleanup project plans to sell goods made from the waste it recovers to fund its ongoing operations, and has just unveiled its very first product.

Mountains of plastic waste wash into the ocean every year, and we face a big battle to clean up the mess

Environment

Floating booms could only clean up 5% of plastic on the ocean surface

A new study has cast doubt over one method of cleaning up ocean plastics in floating trash-collection barriers, finding that these devices are unlikely to put a dent in the overall problem, even if left to run well into next century.

A study has found that mussels that aggregate into reef structures may be far more susceptible to the dangers of plastic pollution

Environment

Mussels that clump together in reefs may ingest triple the plastic

A new study has revealed the dangers plastic pollution poses to blue mussels, with researchers finding they may ingest three times as much plastic when clumped together in the reef structures commonly seen in nature.

Researchers have uncovered more evidence of the magnitude of the plastic waste problem in the ocean

Environment

Scientist unearth record amount of microplastics on the seafloor

Researchers working to trace the path of plastic waste through the marine environment have discovered the highest concentration of microplastics ever recorded on the seafloor, the result of deep-sea currents that act like conveyor belts for our trash.

Environment

New type of marine plastic degrades quickly under ultraviolet light

Scientists at Cornell University have been working on more environmentally friendly forms of plastic for the fishing industry, and have come up with a new plastic material that can break down much more quickly when exposed to UV light.

New research has found a species of lobster that grinds plastic waste into smaller microplastic particles

Environment

Lobsters found to grind plastics down into "secondary microplastics"

A new study by scientists in Italy has shone a light on the way lobsters digest plastic particles, finding that their stomach actually grinds them up into tiny fragments that can pose a risk to smaller creatures in the food chain.

A new study has calculated the typical size of plastic waste different animals are able to consume

Environment

Study calculates the size of plastic waste marine animals can stomach

Scientists at Cardiff University have come up with a way of estimating the maximum size of plastic pieces different marine creatures can consume, which could help assess the risks different types of waste pose to species around the globe

A microscope image showing how a sheet of the plastic biodegrades in seawater – the material was developed in partnership with Japanese company Nihon Shokuhin Kako

Environment

Plant-based plastic biodegrades in the ocean

Whether it's entangling marine animals or forming giant floating "garbage patches," oceanic plastic waste is a huge problem. There may be new hope however, in the form of what is claimed to be a better type of marine-biodegradable plastic.

Researchers have found that Japanese medaka fish subjected to high amount of microplastic fibers experience serious effects to their reproductive and respiratory systems

Environment

Microplastics found to cause aneurysms, reproductive changes in fish

Looking to learn more about the damage plastic waste causes marine animals, scientists have found that fish subjected to high concentrations of microplastic fibers can experience profound changes to their respiratory and reproductive systems.

The Interceptor is capable of pulling out 50,000 kg (110,200 lb) of trash each day

Environment

Ocean Cleanup takes on rivers of plastic with "The Interceptor"

With its huge barriers now successfully collecting trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the Ocean Cleanup Project is heading upstream to tackle the issue closer to the source with "The Interceptor," a system to pull waste from rivers.

The Ocean Cleanup's prototype System 001/B has now started capturing plastic waste from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Environment

Ocean Cleanup starts harvesting plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

After years in development, the Ocean Cleanup has today announced that its prototype is capturing plastic debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

After a sizeable stint on the sidelines, The Ocean Cleanup Project is bouncing back into action

Environment

Take two: Upgraded Ocean Cleanup barrier returns to take on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

After a stint on the sidelines, The Ocean Cleanup Project is bouncing back into action following a few upgrades, with the team now hopeful it has a system better equipped to take on the massive task of plastic pollution in the ocean.