The largest marine trash vortex is located in the NORTH PACIFIC GYRE. HEADLINE 41 Who’s Minding the Planet? OCEAN GYRE INFOGRAPHIC NORTH PACIFIC GYRE EasterN Patch Western Patch Microplastics Sources 1 National Geographic Encyclopedia, Ocean Gyre 2 Jenna R.Jambeck, et. al, SCIENCE Vol. 347, Issue 6223 3 World Economic Forum, The New Plastics Economy, Rethinking the Future of Plastics 4 National Geographic Encyclopedia, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Pacific Trash Vortex 5 NOAA, 2017 Marine Debris Program Accomplishments Report Our minds may picture a marine “GARBAGE PATCH” as a floating island of trash. In reality, they consist primarily of tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics; much of which is invisible to the human eye. 20% of debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from boaters, offshore oil rigs, and large cargo ships that dump or lose debris overboard. 80% of debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from land-based activities in North America and Asia. 4 In 2017, the NOAA Marine Debris Program removed 1,600 metric tons of debris from waterways and educated over 18,300 students about marine pollution. 5 Get involved at: marinedebris.noaa.gov 5 GYRES, Plastic Pollution Solutions: www.5gyres.org Other non-profits are also committed to a world without plastic pollution and are combating it at the source. Find out ways you can take action... North America ASIA GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH MICROPLASTIC SOLUTIONS IN SIGHT WHAT CAN YOU DO?