Ocean Plastic Cleanup: What's The Cost To Our Planet?

The cost of cleaning up ocean plastic is a complex issue that depends on various factors, including the amount of plastic to be removed, the technology used, and the labour required. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between California and Hawaii, is a well-known area of concentrated marine debris, with an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic waste. Cleaning up less than 1% of the North Pacific Ocean, an area of approximately 1,000,000 km2, would cost between $122 million and $489 million for boat time alone. This does not include equipment or labour costs, which can be substantial, with some estimates of $4.68 million and 18,000 person-hours of labour required to clean up Aldabra Atoll, a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site. While some organisations, like The Ocean Cleanup, are developing technologies to remove plastic from the oceans, the ultimate solution lies in preventing plastic pollution in the first place, as clean-up efforts can be extremely costly and may interfere with marine ecosystems.

The cost of cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a large area of concentrated marine debris, located between California and Hawaii. It is caused by the clockwise movement of the surface of the ocean and has been described as an "island of trash" or a "soup of plastic". The GPGP is the largest of the five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the world's oceans, covering an area twice the size of Texas.

The Ocean Cleanup, an international non-profit project, has been working on cleaning up the GPGP since 2013. Their system consists of a large floating net-like barrier that is slowly towed by two ships, directing plastic to a central retention zone. While this method has received attention, some marine biologists believe it could do more harm than good due to the use of fossil fuel-powered ships.

A rough estimate suggests that cleaning less than 1% of the North Pacific Ocean, an area of approximately 1,000,000 km2, would cost between $122 million and $489 million for boat time alone. This estimate does not include equipment or labor costs, which would further increase the overall cost.

While the exact cost of cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is challenging to determine, it is clear that the financial burden will be significant. Additionally, it is important to address the inflow of plastic into the ocean through prevention and interception methods, as cleaning up existing plastic is not a long-term solution.

The Ocean Cleanup's technologies and strategies

The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation that has been researching, extracting, and monitoring plastic pollution in oceans and rivers globally for over ten years. The organisation aims to remove 90% of plastic waste from the oceans by 2040 through its ocean cleanup systems and river interception technologies.

The Ocean Cleanup's technologies include the Ocean Cleanup Array, which consists of long, U-shaped floating barriers that are strategically placed to harness ocean currents and direct floating debris towards a central collection point. The system is designed to passively collect and concentrate plastic pollution in the ocean, making it a cost-effective solution for targeting areas with high plastic concentrations. The organisation is also working on System 03, which will be three times bigger and will reduce the cost per kilogram of plastic collected.

In addition to the Array, The Ocean Cleanup also utilises Interceptor Boats, which are large floating net-like barriers that are towed by two ships. The natural flow caused by the movement directs plastic to the central retention zone, which is emptied onto the ships' decks once a week. The collected plastic is then separated into different recycling streams, packaged, and sent to recycling facilities onshore.

The Ocean Cleanup also recognises the importance of intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the ocean. To this end, they have developed river interception technologies, such as biofences, which intercept plastic debris as it flows with the current, and WasteShark, a marine garbage collector that sucks up plastics and other pollutants in rivers, harbours, and canals.

Furthermore, The Ocean Cleanup employs drone surveillance to monitor and survey plastic pollution in the oceans. Drones equipped with cameras and sensors capture images and data that are analysed to identify and assess plastic pollution levels, providing valuable information for targeted cleanup efforts and research.

The organisation also emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach, including education, policy changes, and individual actions, to complement their technological advancements and ensure a sustainable and plastic-free future for our oceans.

The economic impact of marine plastic pollution

Marine plastic pollution has a significant economic impact on various industries, including fisheries, tourism, and governments. The presence of plastic waste in oceans and waterways disrupts ecosystems, leading to substantial losses for fisheries and tourism-dependent businesses.

Fisheries, for instance, suffer from reduced fish reserves and harvests as plastic pollution harms marine wildlife and ecosystems. This, in turn, leads to decreased income, with farmers filing for bankruptcy. The ingestion of plastic by animals and its subsequent entry into the human food chain further exacerbates the problem, posing vast health risks and complications for both animals and humans.

The aesthetic value of coastlines is also negatively affected by plastic pollution, resulting in reduced tourism activity and loss of livelihood for tourism-related businesses. Coastal nations heavily rely on marine tourism, making this a critical economic sector. Additionally, the clean-up efforts themselves incur substantial costs, with boat rentals, equipment, and labour contributing to the overall financial burden.

While the removal of plastic waste from oceans and waterways is essential, the ultimate solution lies in preventing plastic pollution at its source. This includes intercepting plastic in rivers and stopping new trash from entering the oceans. By addressing the root cause, we can mitigate the economic impact of marine plastic pollution and restore the health of our marine ecosystems.

Furthermore, the development and deployment of innovative technologies play a crucial role in addressing marine plastic pollution. Organisations like The Ocean Cleanup are dedicated to creating and scaling technologies to remove plastic from the oceans. Their approaches, such as the Ocean Cleanup Array, aim to reduce costs and increase efficiency in tackling this global issue. However, it is important to carefully consider the potential environmental impact of clean-up methods, as some practices may inadvertently contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.

The environmental impact of ocean plastic

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with plastic waste accumulating in oceans and on beaches around the world. This waste has a direct and deadly impact on wildlife, killing thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals each year through ingestion or entanglement. It is estimated that there are 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, with plastic pollution reaching from the equator to the poles, from Arctic ice sheets to the sea floor.

The impact of ocean plastic pollution is not limited to marine ecosystems; it also affects human health and economies. Microplastics, formed when plastic breaks down into particles smaller than 5mm, have been found in human blood and placentas, as well as in food and drinks, including tap water, beer, and salt. Several chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. The build-up of plastic litter can also negatively impact a country's economy and trade systems, leading to income declines in sectors such as small- and medium-enterprises, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture.

The sources of ocean plastic pollution are primarily land-based, including urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture. Rivers act as conveyor belts, carrying trash to the sea, where it is transported by ocean currents around the world. Once in the ocean, plastic waste is difficult to retrieve, and mechanical systems can only effectively remove large pieces of plastic from inland waters. As such, the ultimate solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas in the first place.

The cost of cleaning up ocean plastic is significant. A hypothetical estimate to clean up less than 1% of the North Pacific Ocean, an area of approximately 1,000,000 km2, would require 67 ships at a cost of $5,000-20,000 per day, totalling between $122 million and $489 million for the year. This estimate does not include equipment or labour costs, and it is important to note that not all debris items can be easily scooped up with a net. While organisations like The Ocean Cleanup are developing technologies to rid the oceans of plastic, some marine biologists caution that their methods, such as using fossil fuel-powered ships, may do more harm than good.

The cost of cleaning up small islands

The high cost of cleaning up small islands is a critical issue, especially considering the detrimental effects of plastic litter on marine ecosystems. The litter on Aldabra Atoll was dominated by waste from the regional fishing industry (83%) and flip-flops (7%). This waste has had devastating consequences for the local wildlife, including giant tortoises, turtles, and birds, which have been found entangled in plastic or with plastic in their digestive systems.

The cost of clean-up operations on small islands is influenced by various factors, including the remote location of the island, the need for specialised equipment and transportation, and the labour-intensive nature of the work. Additionally, the limited infrastructure and resources available on small islands can further increase the cost of clean-up operations.

Despite the high financial cost, clean-up efforts on small islands are crucial for preserving the delicate ecosystems that these islands support. To address the issue effectively, it is essential to combine clean-up operations with policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution at its source. This may include implementing waste management strategies, improving recycling technologies, and promoting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

While the cost of cleaning up small islands can be significant, it is important to recognise the long-term benefits of restoring and protecting these unique and biodiverse environments. By investing in clean-up operations and sustainable practices, we can help safeguard the rich wildlife, ecosystems, and natural beauty that these islands offer.

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