The EPS Industry Alliance recently dove into a report on marine debris, which shed “light on previous assumptions about the role plastics play in marine debris, where they come from and how different plastics contribute to the problem.” Plastic Marine Debris: Lets Size It Up
What is Marine Debris?
Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.
Marine Debris Report Findings
At the time of the report, the total plastic debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean, amassed to 78,908 tons. Of this, 52% of the debris was mostly abandoned fishing gear, 47% was hard plastic (sheets and film) and only 0.5% was foamed plastics.
Ultimately, polystyrene (EPS) is a minor component contributing to marine debris. In order to continue improving upon reported results, those within the industry remain dedicated to EPS recycling, sustainability and developing creative new ways to use reclaimed material.
Plymouth Foam (PF) is committed to making the best environmentally responsible decisions, especially when it comes to the types of products we buy and the types of packaging we use. Contact Plymouth Foam directly at sales@plymouthfoam.com for a collaborative solution to meet your packaging and temperature sensitive storage needs.