BIO 420 Methods

There are many methods people can use to reduce plastic pollution. They can reduce, reuse, and recycle. This is the oldest method that is effective if done correctly. They can buy recyclable products with little or no packaging. Buying these products will reduce the use of plastic and will reduce recycling needs which will lead to a cleaner Earth. They can also use biodegradable plastics so we don’t have to worry so much about plastic pollution. Keeping storm drains clean and never littering will also help reduce the plastic that end up in the oceans. Everyone can join the banning of plastic bags which will reduce a significant amount of plastic pollution. Refusing to use disposables and choose to use reusable or Tupperware products. This can reduce plastic pollution because instead of just throwing the container away after using it, it can be washed and reused. People can also help to clean up your local beaches. This will help to reduce the amount of litter and plastic pollution that will eventually end up in the ocean. If one cannot help clean up the beaches, they can make donations to help the clean-up. There are a number of organizations people can donate to such as the Natural Resources Defense Council or NRDC. NRDC is one of the nation’s most effective action groups. They work to safeguard the earth — its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
There are future techniques for removing plastic pollution. There are developments of a multi-phase approach to achieving the goal of locating, removing, and processing ocean borne plastics into fuel. The process utilizes commercially available technology but is unique in its application, and is patent-pending. Remote sensing technology will be used to locate debris field concentrations, while collection systems developed by the oil spill response industry will harvest the debris without trapping or injuring marine animals. The technology is not overly complicated; plastics

References: http://www.ted.com/conversations/7647/the_clean_oceans_project_a_re.html http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/programs/keep-plastic-out-pacific http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/plastic-ocean/ http://www.cacoastkeeper.org/programs/clean-abundant/plastic-pollution http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/marinedebris.html http://www.nrdc.org/ http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-waste-as-fuel.html