Not all plastic makes its way to the garbage patches once released into the aquatic environment. During our expeditions and cleanup missions, we have mainly seen and caught HDPE plastics (High-Density Polyethylene), with a smaller fraction comprised of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene). Their density is lower than water, which makes them stay afloat and more likely to persist in the ocean for long periods.
Examples of plastic products we find in the ocean, typically made with HDPE, are:
- Fishing equipment, ghost nets
- Bottle caps
- Toothbrushes
- Detergent bottles
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel bottles
- Some types of beverage bottles
- Crates
- Pieces of buckets
- Toys
Ghost net lifted onboard the vessel in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, during the System 001/B mission 2019
Examples of plastic caught during the System 001/B mission in 2019.
Other plastic types usually wash up on the shore, or sink close to the coast. Examples of these plastic types are:
- Plastic bags
- Cigarette filters
- PET bottles (note: the cap does float)
- Styrofoam food- and beverage containers
- Straws
- Textiles made of plastic
With our Interceptor solutions, we aim to catch plastics before it beaches, sinks, or escapes to the ocean. Our ocean systems will tackle the legacy plastic already out there, as it can take decades before plastic pieces make it to the ocean garbage patches.
Learn more about plastic becomes ocean plastic on our Ocean Plastic Explained page.