The genius who is cleaning our oceans...

[pbmus]

[lillypaddle]

1. Bless him!

We need a few more like him.

[n2doc]

2. Another huckster

That's all I have to say about him.

[pbmus]

8. Do you have an idea about how to clean up the sea of plastic

We have in our oceans???

[n2doc]

9. I know what he is proposing won't work

I work on plastic pollution in the ocean, at least part of the time. The problem needs to be stopped at the source- banning plastic bags, cups, and other unnecessary products. Requiring that plastics made for consumer items that may end up in the trash be made of biodegradable (and truly quickly biodegradable) materials. It will require changes in our lifestyle. Eventually what is out there will break down but we have to stop replenishing it.

The really big problem is micro plastics, especially micro fibers. They are everywhere and in everything.

People don't have an idea of the scale of the problem. The North Pacific garbage patch is the size of Texas. It is in waters 4000 meters deep. Think about trying to moor such a device in waters that deep, and imagine something the size of a farmer's field making a dent on a patch that size. Imagine trying to transport all that collected plastic. It doesn't work.

[pbmus]

10. Transport in small pieces , as they will be shredded upon coming

On the ship, and then transported to a processor..there is no mooring ?

[n2doc]

11. Transport large ship

Again, you don't appreciate the scale of the problem. It takes weeks just to get out there from the nearest coastlines. Either lots of fuel burning, or very slow wind power. And we are talking about 7 million tons, and growing.

If you do not moor it, it will get swept around, and plastics will not get swept to it. It needs to be in place to function correctly.

I haven't even gotten to the issue of what the large (30+ft) waves in that region would do to his device. There is a reason why it is a computer render.

People want to believe in magic. That is why so many voted for Trump. Not accusing yourself of that!, but it is human nature.

http://garbagepatch.net/greatpacificoceangarbagepatchfacts/

[pbmus]

12. There is one working in the North Sea.

[n2doc]

13. Nope

https://www.theoceancleanup.com/updates/show/item/an-update-from-the-north-sea/

This isn't a working device. This is a boom.

[pbmus]

14. Ok, working out the bugs...

If you have another idea, I am all ears...!

[n2doc]

15. Already gave you mine n/t

[pbmus]

16. That's a long wait...

http://www.postconsumers.com/education/how-long-does-it-take-a-plastic-bottle-to-biodegrade/

[democrank]

3. Thank you, pbmus.

I`m grateful to this young man for his inventiveness and determination.

[rickford66]

4. What prevents water craft from damaging it.

You can't force ships to detour around it.

[potone]

5. If this works, it will be wonderful! N/T

[progressoid]

6. How would it pay for itself?

IIRC, there isn't a lot of money in plastic recycling. And doing it on the ocean would be even more expensive.

[downeastdaniel]

7. Is he legit? If so, shouldn't we encourage sponsorship or partnerships w/ Nations or the UN.