The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A large area in the Pacific ocean has been identified as the 'graveyard' for plastic. When plastic of all kinds is thrown in this ocean some of it eventually drifts to this area and stays there due to the ocean currents. Over time it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces but this is not the end of the problem. The smaller pieces just affect smaller creatures in negative ways. The UNEP estimates that 90% of all pollution floating in the oceans is plastic.
The second picture shows some of the plastic stopped by a net in the Los Angles river. This net is regularly cleaned out but most rivers do not have a net to catch plastic.
I was on a nice sandy beach in Trinidad not too long ago and the beach itself was invisible. All you could see, and walk on, was discarded plastic.
Some potential health problems for people using plastic have recently come to light so whenever possible avoid buying plastic. Use glass, china, wood, wax paper or ceramics instead.