Checking In On The Great Garbage Patch: Why a Floating Island of Trash in the Pacific Keeps Growing

The story of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch begins with our increasing reliance on plastic. As more and more plastic products are produced, they inevitably find their way into our oceans. Unlike biodegradable materials, plastic doesn’t break down easily. Instead, it breaks into smaller pieces known as microplastics, which are just as harmful. The patch itself was first discovered in the late 20th century, when researchers noticed a high concentration of marine debris in the North Pacific Gyre. This gyre, a system of rotating ocean currents, traps debris, creating the massive accumulation we see today.

How It All Began

• The Rise of Plastic Use: Post-World War II industrial growth made plastic a cheap, durable go-to material.
• Microplastic Menace: As plastics break apart, they become harder to remove and easier for animals to ingest.
• An Accidental Discovery: Oceanographer Charles Moore stumbled upon the patch in the 1990s, sparking global concern.