# WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET PLASTICS OUT OF THE OCEAN?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/what-will-it-take-to-get-plastic-out-of-the-ocean/
- Published: 2020-04-23T15:53:06-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

_Can we get plastic out of the ocean already? From drones to filters to artificial
islands. Innovators are working to cut the threat [thousands of tons of trash](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/marine-plastic-bondi-bag-protecting-our-oceans/)
pose to marine ecosystems. Basically we need to get plastic out of the oceans!_

_Anja Krieger _
 _@[anjakrieger](https://mobile.twitter.com/anjakrieger)_ _Freelance
journalist_

## Hawaii

February 1, 2016 — A few palm trees stand strong in the salty breeze. Located on
the southern tip of the Pacific island chain of [Hawaii](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/countries-states-target-to-cut-use-of-plastic-bags/),
Kamilo Beach. It’s is an isolated stretch of black [volcanic](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/05/volcanic-fall-out-from-hawaian-eruption-and-its-effects-on-health-and-atmospher/)
shoreline in the middle of nowhere. Just a few hundred yards from shore. Yes humpback
whales rise up from the depths. All colorful fish fill the reefs and rare sea turtles
swim in to nest on the beach. As I’ve written before:

#### New York Response

In response to the cuts of $17 million the New York [State Parks](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/06/state-parks-a-popular-choice-for-americans-this-memorial-day/)
department, the Alliance For New York State Parks called for the a “Pennies for 
Parks” program.  This program is a one cent fee charged to consumers for disposable
grocery store plastic bags.

A poll conducted in December, 2010 showed 73 percent of New Yorkers support the 
penny surcharge. Especially  if the generated funds were dedicated to keeping state
parks open and well maintained.

#### Pennies for Parks

In announcing the “Pennies for Parks” campaign, Kulleseid explained that the one
cent fee is expected to generate $60 million a year, while reducing the number of
bags that end up in landfills.  He also stressed that the fee would be avoidable
if shoppers turned to reusable bags.

### Pennies for Parks Survey

The December, 2010 survey of 1,000 registered New York State voters was conducted
by [Buffalo](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/tesla-needs-tech-hiring-in-buffalo/)
pollster Barry Zeplowitz and Associates.

As part of the survey, voters were asked their feelings regarding a charge on plastic
bags used by grocery stores.  Because inevitably and want to stop plastic. Again
because plastic must out of the oceans and waterways.

So specifically, the question read, “If the amount charged was one penny per bag,
and you knew it would raise $60 million annually to keep state parks open and well
maintained for your use, would you support such a charge?” The response was 73 percent
favorable (35 percent strongly) and 24 percent unfavorable (11 percent strongly).
Because New Yorkers want plastic out of the oceans!

### 󠀁[⌊We need to get plastic out of the oceans ⌉⌊We need to get plastic out of the oceans ⌉󠀁[

_But even in this remote place, garbage washes ashore each day. “We find a lot of
toothbrushes and combs, plastic bottles and caps, over and over,” says Megan Lamson,
a marine biologist working for a local non-governmental organization, the Hawai‘i
Wildlife Fund._

Old Hawaiian sayings have described the bay as a place where people went looking
for loved ones if they got lost at sea.

In conclusion, it’s an all too familiar sight around the world. Since the early 
1970s, researchers have collected plastic from beaches and oceans around the globe.
At the 9-mile (14-kilometer) stretch of coastline around South Point alone.  In 
addition, they’ve collected about 15 to 20 tons (14 to 18 metric tons) of trash 
wash up each year.

_“Here on Hawaiian beaches, we have debris from all around the North Pacific,” Nikolai
Maximenko, an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, explains. Some
pieces come from Asia, others from the West Coast of North America, and, Maximenko
adds, “of course we have local products, too.”_

Finally and for the entire story on how to get plastic out of the oceans at [Ensia](https://ensia.com/features/what-will-it-take-to-get-plastics-out-of-the-ocean/).

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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