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Good Question: How Much Plastic Garbage Is In The Ocean?

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(CBS)

(CBS)

(CBS 5) — It washes up on beaches, threatens wildlife and pollutes our oceans. In this Good Question: How much plastic garbage is in the ocean?

ANSWER: Jim Oswald of the Marine Mammal Center said there are more than 300 billion pounds of plastic junk floating around the world’s oceans. The garbage consists of everything from plastic jugs and bottles to hair brushes and Styrofoam cups. Much of it comes from China, Japan and the U.S.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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  • Anja

    You mention a source estimating there are over 300 billion pounds of plastic waste floating in the world’s oceans. Can you provide a link to the study or source? That would be great.

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