SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In the middle of the ocean floats a gigantic collection of trash and debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
The accumulation of plastics, cans and other waste has become one of the most striking examples of the environmental crisis affecting the planet, threatening not only marine life, but also humans.
“Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans today. It is devastating ecosystems. More than 100 species are threatened with extinction because of plastic,” said Boyan Slat.
Slat is the CEO of a company called The Ocean Cleanup.
Six years ago, the company sent two ships to the waste area to develop technology to clean it up once and for all.
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On Friday, the same two ships returned to San Francisco Bay.
This time, they developed the technology needed for this massive undertaking.
According to Slat, the only thing now stopping this project from becoming a reality is money.
“Once that’s secure, we can ramp up the process in two or three years and the clock will start ticking. We can potentially clean up the patch in just five years,” Slat said.
Slat estimates the total cost to be between $4 billion and $7.5 billion.
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It’s a small price to pay, said Matthias Egger.
Egger was one of the scientists on the expeditions who helped develop the technology needed for the cleanup.
It is a system of nets, cameras and computers powered by artificial intelligence.
“There are big waves and a harsh environment. And building something that actually survives there, while at the same time making sure that you’re only capturing plastic and not marine life, was a real challenge,” Egger said.
Once the waste is collected from the sea, it is sorted on ships and finally recycled.
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Egger took the time to show us that the glasses he was wearing were one of the recycled products that were made.
“What’s out there has value, it’s not just waste. It’s also a resource that we can use,” Egger said.
Despite the steps that still need to be taken, Slat is optimistic about cleaning up the patch.
He hopes this approach will inspire others to tackle even more the environmental problems of our time.
“For humanity to thrive, we have to be able to look to the future with optimism. And I think if we can clean up the South Pacific Garbage Patch, this seemingly insurmountable problem, I think that will be an inspiration to a lot of people,” Slat said.
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