jaymailsays So we create new plastic from old ocean found plastic that will inevitably find it's way back to our oceans in the future?
Might be better to reduce the use of all plastics and find a sustainable alternative.
The OP's idea is better than the alternative of leaving the plastic in the ocean, or recovering it and then having to bury it in landfill or incinerate it. It's going to take many years to deal with the problems created by the dumping and over-use of plastic and recycling the plastic already in existence is a valuable part of the solution to the crisis affecting our planet. Of course a sustainable solution is the way to go, but for now it's equally important to recycle and reuse and combine this approach with other solutions too.
As well as finding alternatives to plastic it is important to find ways to prevent plastic (indeed any waste) even entering our oceans in the first place, This means greater public awareness of the need to reduce our dependence on plastic and cooperation in meeting that objective. At the moment I am not convinced that a lot of people really 'get' this. To give an example, Sainsbury's has stopped packing a lot of its vegetables eg cabbages, cauliflowers etc., and instead sells reusable fine mesh bags for keeping produce fresh. The bags cost 30p and when I bought mine the checkout assistant said that many customers moan about the charge and refuse to buy them, instead demanding a plastic bag.
If your idea is accepted jeremylalou please post and let us know as I will make a rare visit to Labs and support it.
