by Bruce Scher,
October 16, 2021 Miami Beach Fl
The Ocean Cleanup Project a nonprofit organization aims to rid the world's oceans of plastic. Launched its latest installation in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a floating trash area originating from the Pacific Rim, including countries in Asia, North America, and South America.
The vessel nicknamed "Jenny" was deemed a great success hauling in a "massive" haul of plastic waste. This newest iteration was based on active propulsion, meaning the horseshoe-shaped Jenny would be towed along by crewed vessels at either end. With a length of 800 meters (2,640 ft), Jenny is also the biggest system designed to remove ocean plastic.
The team is still processing its catch so we can expect more information to be forthcoming on how much Jenny is capable of cleaning, but one thing is clear it will take many Jennies to put a dent in the issue because millions of metric tons of plastic waste wash into the ocean each year.
For its part, the Ocean Cleanup crew is well aware of this, and is simultaneously endeavoring to prevent plastic waste entering the ocean through a river-based collection system called "The Interceptor."
It still sees the accumulated waste in the ocean as a major problem that needs solving, as the longer it remains swirling about in the seas the more of it breaks down into problematic microplastics that are difficult to track and pose all sorts of problems to the environment.
For more information on The Ocean Cleanup, https://www.theoceancleanup.com
This article was written by Bruce Scher, President of https://www.sustainablemiamibeachfoodietours.com/
Official Partner with City of Miami Beach- PlasticFreeMB Initiative
