The Ocean CleanUp, a foundation developing technologies to tackle ocean plastic pollution, has launched a 600 meter-long floating barrier to tackle ocean plastic. The structure, powered by currents, waves and wind, moves using ocean currents and comprises of 60 adjoining units that form a giant C-shaped tube attached to three-meter deep impenetrable skirt which will collect plastic waste of 1cm diameter and larger. The aim is for the structure to collect five tonnes of plastic every month, which will be removed every six weeks to be recycled in the Netherlands.
The foundation aims to begin by taking on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest and dirtiest of five ocean circulatory systems known as gyres.
