July 22, 2009
Where is the world’s largest garbage dump?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also described as the Eastern Garbage Patch or the Pacific Trash Vortex, is the world’s largest garbage dump – a gyre of marine litter in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135° to 155°W and 35° to 42°N and estimated to be twice the size of Texas. The patch is characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of suspended plastic and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Despite its size and density, the patch is not visible from satellite photography.
The world's largest garbage dump – The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Source: Bradshaw, Kate (January 29, 2009), “The Great Garbage Swirl”, Mautime Weekly (Maui)
Image: Interactive diagram of the trash vortex by Greenpeace

