Marine Debris Research - Global Plastic Losses

The primary goal of this project is to use field sampling and mathematical modelling to document the distribution of plastic in the ocean, on the coast and in the nearshore environment generated by 6-8 major urban centers and surrounding areas that have been identified as having significant waste mismanagement or losses into the marine environment. However, since this projects inception we have expanded the number of countries surveyed. This research will allow for empirical validation of waste losses as projected by a recent global estimate of plastic losses into the world’s oceans.