TRASH FREE SEAS IN CALIFORNIATRASH FREE SEAS IN CALIFORNIAOCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL MARINE DEBRIS WORKSHOP

June 28, 2013Nicholas J. Mallos

TOP 10 ITEMS: CA CLEANUP 2008-2012

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TOP 10 ITEMS: 5 YEAR TRENDS

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TOP 10 ITEMS: MASS VS. ABUNDANCE

RankRank Item Total Mass (kg)

1 Glass beverage bottles (7) 35,583.65

2 Food wrappers & Takeout containers (2) 9,339.02

3 Paper bags (4) 3,289.66

4 Plastic beverage bottles (9) 2,867.67

5 Plastic bags (4) 2,534.56

6 Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons (5) 1,790.30

7 Beverage cans (10) 1,773.58

8 Caps & Lids (3) 818.43

9 Cigarettes & Cigarette Filters (1) 462.14

10 Straws & Stirrers (6) 108.26

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ANSWERING THE PLASTICS “SO WHAT?”

National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis

Principle objectives:

I.Analysis and synthesis of the risks and impacts of marine debris

I.Quantification of plastic debris in the marine environment

I.Probabilistic risk assessment of marine debris

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INCREASING RIGOR OF PLASTICS DATA

• New Cleanup data form– Material specific – Tiny trash (i.e. plastics, glass, PS)

• California trash analysis:– Brand characterizations– Classification of beach plastics

THANK YOU

nmallos@oceanconservancy.orgTwitter: @NickMallos

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Brands A-D comprise 54% of trash

OCEAN TRASH BRAND CHARACTERIZATION

PE + PP•92.3% beach•58.0% annual

BEACH VS. ANNUAL PLASTICS