The most enormous garbage dump you could possibly imagine is smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – right between California and Japan. So, just how big is it? Get this – it’s bigger than all of Ontario!

• The “Trash Vortex” is made up of almost 100% plastic (scientists think it’s somewhere between 3 and 6 million tonnes)
• Lots of it comes from things that are thrown off of ships, the rest is from land
• You don’t even have to live close to a beach for your garbage to end up in the ocean

Plastic litter and the stuff in landfills can be carried thousands of miles away by the wind, ending up in lakes and rivers. The rivers, which eventually lead out to the ocean, take the plastic along for the ride. The currents and tides continue to move the plastic around the ocean. Some of it might get beached, but a whole lot of it is ending up in the trash vortex.

• Animals usually mistake the colourful floating plastic bits for their food, like plankton. Dead seabirds have been found with everything from cigarette lighters to toothbrushes in their stomachs!

• Plastic bits are like chemical sponges, soaking up nasty chemicals like DDT. Then they get eaten by fish, and the fish are fed to humans. Next thing you know, you’ve got a chemical cocktail in your own belly.

Is outta sight outta mind?

• Use your regular cups plates and cutlery next time you or your parents host a party instead of plastic ones.  If you really can’t talk mom and dad out of the disposables, at least get them to use biodegradable ones.

• Make sure all your plastics end up in the recycling, to reduce the chances they’ll end up in the vortex.

• Encourage your parents to buy things made out of materials other than plastic.

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games, discover amazing facts, meet animal ambassadors and fundraise to protect biodiversity.