Experts Debunk 9 Myths About Ocean Plastic Pollution

While the problem of ocean plastic pollution is now well known, there are many misconceptions about this subject that, over time, become accepted as facts. That's why we invited our Head of Research, Laurent Lebreton, and Founder & CEO, Boyan Slat, to 'debunk' some of these common myths.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:46 #1 There's a trash island in the ocean
01:32 #2 The plastics in the garbage patches are too small, making them impossible to clean up
02:49 #3 Every minute, a garbage truck of plastic is dumped in the ocean
04:45 #4 Plastic at the surface of the ocean represents less than 1% of the total amount of plastic in the ocean
06:03 #5 In 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish
06:28 #6 Ten of the world's rivers are responsible for 90% of the plastic pollution in the ocean
07:55 #7 Plastic in the ocean comes predominantly from landbased sources
09:39 #8 Plastic in the ocean mostly comes from developing countries
10:37 #9 More than a third of plastic waste ends up in the ocean
11:38 Outro

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[highwaybus]

I appreciate how straight up, honest, and scientific your team is. Many NGOs would be tempted to pump up the hysteria by confirming myths and generating interest and funding that way. But you straight up say, for example, the amount of plastic produced that winds up (and stays) in oceans is less than 1%. While your work is still vital, you don't further public misconceptions to generate support. Bravo.

[vatsokatvis_experience]

A fundamental problem that is overlooked in my opinion is the fact that very little garbage collection facilities exist along the rivers especially in lesser developed countries. There are no roads in these communities to facilitate collection so where can the people dispose of their waste? We have this problem here in South Africa because our corrupt government rather misuse funds for their own luxuries before providing convenient garbage collection facilities

[Shoejoe]

I just wish they would get a more dedicated social media team. Plastic clean up can be entertaining too.

[GenaTrius]

I saw a comic years ago that featured a human contemplating using a paper straw, while a baby harp seal pleadingly called out "No, the nets, the fishing nets, help!" It's real good to see y'all are getting the nets.

[fionamcwilliam]

I've been so encouraged by your work in the ocean and rivers.
I watch videos by Ocean Conservation Namibia who rescue seals from plastic entrapment. Mostly they are untangling the seals from fish line that has been discarded into the ocean but there are other items too like gaskets and packing straps. It's good to be reminded why your group exists - to clean the oceans so that marine creatures don't eat or get entangled in plastic. Just 5 grams of fishing line can kill a fully grown seal.

[melaniehoshall]

The plastic you are removing from the ocean will not photo-degrade into the ocean - they'll still photo-degrade, just not directly into the ocean. The argument against cleaning up the ocean doesn't hold water for that reason alone. It also doesn't assign a high enough value to the damage plastics in the ocean cause to ocean-based life (including shore birds that mistake plastics for food) as well as the humans that consume it. Just because the job is huge does not mean we get to ignore it. Thank you for all that you are doing!

[Seraphim]

Can you make a live stream of the plastic cleanup in Guatemala if possible? I think it would be really good ASMR and would bring much more awareness to the problem.

[caltravels]

every piece of garbage taken out of our ocean and rivers etc is a win guys, Bravo. So much still needs to be done to stop countries illegally dumping into waterways etc,

[stevefritz]

Great job reporting on this. Too much of people's reaction to our environment is hysteria rather than useful action. You've put things in a clearer perspective and therefore a more useful perspective.

[whitlcj]

Will you reach out to Clean Bangladesh and share cleaning techniques with the members? I enjoy watching them go to town on the waste depossits in their water systems. It's very comforting to know people are doing work like that.

[benito]

You guys are incredible! If you possibly expanded your social media presence that might give a lot more interest and possible people wanting to join etc. but you guys inspire me to clean plastic in my community and I plan to collect a lot more. Keep it up! Let’s get this planet clean!

[LouiseTichenor]

We are all responsible for plastic pollution. We all need to take responsibility for the plastic we buy as it all pollutes the earth somewhere. Do we take water from home in a reusable container or do we buy bottled water. I stopped buying lettuce because of the plastic containers. I still get plastic from some of my vegetables but we have to force the producers to come up with a new product. There are bags like plastic but are made from plant cellulose. What did we use prior to plastic

[sternenhimmel]

I don't miss a single minute of your informations videos interviews etc. Never end your glorious work until not a single piece of plastic leaves any circle- procedure. Thank YOU 🙏 ❤

[morrispet]

THANK YOU ALL for your work and service to the planet and all its inhabitants!!

[MrLeetec]

I share with you a fact. Everyday we pump up more than 16 Billion Liter crude oil (100 million Barrel). It is estimated that 8 to 10% are used to become plastic. Every single day.

[limeuqr]

Great to hear how much you have learned from your work and research.
I hope you can continue to go from strength to strength with the river interceptors and the version 3 system in the ocean.

[CorvetteAustin]

Keep up the great work! Thanks for this video, I certainly had some of these misconceptions as well.

[bobbymoss]

Thank you for this video, absolutely love what you guys are doing.

[hagron]

Si seulement on pouvait diminuer le plastique à la source!
Je vous salut du Québec. Merci pour tous les efforts.

[buzzinalong]

The work your team does and the education you share is very impressive. Hopefully you get many many countrys and their people to clue in to what you are doing.