The Problem: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris found in the centre of the North Pacific Ocean which is said to be twice the size of the state of Texas in the United States Of America. The volume of garbage has increased by 100 times in the past 40 years as the garbage is not biodegradable. 

The smothering of the seabed, caused by the waste, has lead to the degradation of the marine life found in the North Pacific ocean. 9% of the fish collected in this region had plastic in their stomachs. It has been estimated that 12 000- 24 000 tons of plastic per year. 80% of this plastic is "consumer used plastic that has not been disposed of properly.'' This leads to the accumulation of toxic substances which the aquatic and bird life in the North Pacific Ocean ingest causing death to the animals and a breakdown in the food chain.

Due to the breakdown of the plastic into finger nail sized pieces, it is unable to be seen by satellite images

sources : http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/?ar_a=1

http://www.greenbang.com/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch_21885.html