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Question

Informative or explanatory essay on a topic of your choice from the list below:
Ocean pollution
To help you do your best, use the rubric to see how you

Make sure to use this sentence as reference.

Cleaning the ocean garbage patches
The fundamental challenge of cleaning up the ocean garbage patches is that the plastic pollution is highly diluted, spanning millions of square kilometers. Our cleanup solution is designed to first concentrate the plastic, allowing us to effectively collect and remove vast quantities. This is how it works:

CREATING AN ARTIFICIAL COASTLINE
To clean an area of this size, a strategic and energy-efficient solution is required. With a relative speed difference maintained between the cleanup system and the plastic, we create artificial coastlines, where there are none, to concentrate the plastic. The system is comprised of a long U-shaped barrier that guides the plastic into a retention zone at its far end. Through active propulsion, we maintain a slow forward speed with the system.

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System 03 catch on deck, September 2023
SCALING UP
We captured our first plastic from the GPGP in 2019 and in 2021 we reached proven technology. Today, our total catch runs to hundreds of tons and counting, and as we continuously improve our operations, our catches become larger and more reliable. In 2022, we began transitioning to the three-times larger System 03 by upgrading and replacing components gradually while continuing to harvest plastic. In August 2023, System 03 was deployed to the GPGP for the first time. Cleaning the entire GPGP requires a fleet of cleaning systems, and we believe that System 03 will allow us to develop our blueprint for that scale-up, all while continuing to extract unprecedented amounts of plastic.

Play video
A selection of plastic extractions since the start of the cleanup
A selection of plastic extractions since the start of the cleanup
How it works
The circulating currents in the garbage patch move the plastic around, creating natural ever-shifting hotspots of higher concentration. With the help of computational modeling, we predict where these hotspots are and place the cleanup systems in these areas.

Step1Target

Step2Capture

Step3Extraction

Step4Recycling
Expected impact
Our floating systems are designed to capture plastics ranging from small pieces, just millimeters in size, up to large debris, including massive, discarded fishing nets (ghost nets), which can be tens of meters wide.

Modeling predicts we need around 10 full-size systems to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

After fleets of systems are deployed into every ocean gyre, combined with source reduction, The Ocean Cleanup projects to be able to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2030 with and without cleanup.
[scale: kg/km2]
Smart steering
Active steering and computer modeling enable us to target plastic hotspots -areas of higher concentration- to improve efficiency. Our models will be steadily improved using field data collected during our offshore missions, allowing for continually smarter operations and more focused cleanup.

Carbon offsetting
We aim to offset all carbon emissions related to our operations. We continuously work on technological and operational ways of minimizing emissions, while also conducting a full cost-benefit assessment to determine our net impact on the environment.

Scalable
By taking a careful step-by-step approach, the modular fleet of systems can be gradually scaled up while we learn from the field and improve the technology along the way. The more systems deployed, the faster the cleanup will be.

Track the progress
See where we are cleaning and how much has been removed to date.

See dashboard
Featured
System 03 Deployment
General, Oceans
System 03: A Beginner’s Guide
31 August 2023

Discussion, Oceans
Why We Must Clean The Ocean Garbage Patches
16 September 2021 Boyan Slat
The system at sea
MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
We aim to rid the oceans of plastic in the most responsible way possible. Our mission is intended to benefit the ocean and its inhabitants, so we place protection of the marine environment and mitigation of any negative impact of our operations at the forefront of our ocean cleaning operations.

Since our operations began, we have conducted continuous research in the laboratory and the field, aiming to optimize our positive impact consistently. System 03, our current ocean cleaning technology, has deterrents, cameras, escape aids, and other features to minimize risk to marine wildlife. We also have trained independent observers on board the vessels each trip to monitor any interactions with protected species (such as turtles or whales) in the area. Monitoring data has confirmed that our operations are having only minimal effects on the environment.

In the gallery below, you can learn more about how we keep marine wildlife safe during our cleaning operations. You can also read more about our environmental protection measures in greater detail in this update.

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Overview of the mitigation measures in System 03
Furthermore, System 03 provides a unique platform for scientific research investigating the sources, fate, and impacts of plastic pollution in the open ocean. The data also helps improve the global understanding of the ecosystem in the GPGP.

We are also committed to offsetting all carbon emissions associated with the System 03 operations. For more about our approach to topics like these, see our Environment page.

SURVIVING STORMS
As the cleanup systems must remain in the GPGP for long periods (sometimes under extremely harsh conditions), it is crucial that our systems can withstand ocean forces. We closely monitor the loads on the system, and we adapt the speed and span during rough seas. We track the latest weather forecasts to plan our route to avoid storms and to identify areas where cleaning conditions are most optimal. In the case of a particularly severe storm, the system can be temporarily withdrawn from operation.

Stormy seas and the ocean cleanup Maersk vessel
The winter season in the North Pacific is often accompanied by stormy seas
From concept to reality
The idea to clean the garbage patches started with Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, in 2012. The technology has come a long way since his first sketch; from a V-shaped array anchored to the seabed, to variations of a free-floating passive system, to our current active cleanup approach.

In 2019 we caught our first plastic. However, the catch amount was low, and our calculations showed it would take too long to clean up the GPGP using that original design. We decided to move to an active cleanup approach, and after some prototyping and field testing, we received proof of technology in 2021. This meant we had successfully met the following criteria: limited negative environmental impact, no safety issues during operation, and of course, repeatedly harvesting large amounts of plastic. Taking on such an ambitious challenge and solving problems nobody has ever solved before requires a fast and iterative approach – so we keep learning and improving every day.

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The first sketch made by Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO in 2012

Make it look like an 8th grader made it.

Answer 1

The Challenge of Cleaning Up Ocean Pollution

Introduction

Ocean pollution is a serious problem that affects marine life, ecosystems, and even humans. One of the biggest contributors to ocean pollution is plastic waste, which can be found in enormous garbage patches in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is one of the most well-known of these patches, containing millions of tons of plastic debris. Fortunately, innovative approaches are being developed to tackle this issue, particularly through a project called The Ocean Cleanup, aiming to reduce plastic waste in our oceans significantly.

Understanding the Problem

Plastic pollution in oceans is created by various sources, such as discarded plastic bags, bottles, and fishing nets. Once these items enter the water, they can break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can be difficult to detect and remove. Unlike larger pieces of trash, microplastics are often dispersed over vast areas, making them challenging to collect. Cleaning the GPGP is even harder because its size is approximately twice the size of Texas! With so much plastic spread out, finding an effective cleaning method is essential.

How The Ocean Cleanup Works

The Ocean Cleanup has come up with an innovative solution to tackle ocean pollution. The main idea is to use technology that helps to collect and concentrate plastic waste. Here’s a simple breakdown of how their system works:

1. Creating an Artificial Coastline: The cleanup system utilizes a U-shaped barrier that mimics a coastline to guide plastic waste into a designated area, or retention zone. This helps concentrate the plastic, making it easier to collect.

2. Active Steering and Targeting: The system continually adjusts its position using computer modeling and smart steering. This technology allows the machines to move toward areas where plastic is most concentrated, maximizing the amount collected.

3. Scalability: The project started small but has proven to be successful. In 2021, the first effective cleanup technology was developed, and by August 2023, a larger and more efficient version called System 03 was deployed. This system will allow for greater collection capacity and a larger fleet to clean up trash more quickly.

4. Expected Impact: If everything goes as planned, it is hoped that by the year 2040, The Ocean Cleanup will be able to remove 90% of the ocean's floating plastic. This is a significant goal that could help restore the health of our oceans.

Protecting Marine Life

While cleaning up the ocean, it’s crucial to ensure that marine animals are not harmed. The Ocean Cleanup has integrated several features to protect wildlife, such as escape aids and deterrents, which keep animals safe during operations. Independent observers are also present to monitor the environment and confirm that the cleanup efforts are effective and have minimal negative impacts.

Conclusion

Cleaning the ocean garbage patches represents a colossal challenge, but innovative solutions like The Ocean Cleanup are taking vital steps toward solving this issue. Through advanced technology, strategic planning, and a commitment to environmental protection, there is hope that our oceans can be free from plastic pollution. Every effort counts, and by supporting initiatives like this, we can help revive the health of our planet's precious waters for future generations.