17,000 Plastic Pieces by Square Kilometre of Ocean

17,000: is the estimated number of plastic debris floating by square kilometres of ocean, according to a 2006 UN study. The two highest concentrations are found north of the Pacific Ocean, each with an area close to that of the USA, the fourth largest country in the world.

These rubbish concentrations have a bit of everything in plastic, including bottles, bags, balls, toys, etc.

According to the United Nations, these plastic debris caused the death of over one million seabirds each year and more than 100,000 marine mammals. Syringes, lighters and toothbrushes were found in the stomachs of seabirds that were dead. These birds mistook pieces of plastic for food.

The USA is the largest producer of plastic in the world, with 50 billion kg of plastic manufactured in 2006.