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> The system uses a giant floating tube–the first one will be 2,000 feet long–made of a durable plastic called HDPE, which can float in the water, flexible enou
by ForHackernews 9y ago
> The system uses a giant floating tube–the first one will be 2,000 feet long–made of a durable plastic called HDPE, which can float in the water, flexible enough to bend with the waves, but rigid enough to form a U-shaped barrier to stop the plastic floating on the ocean’s surface.
What are the odds on a bad storm destroying this device and adding another big chunk of garbage plastic to the ocean?
- aqme28 9y agoI don't think that's enough plastic to make a dent in the amount of plastic already out there. If that happens, at least we'll get valuable information on how to improve the system for next time.
- sp332 9y agoIf it's a big chunk, it won't get eaten by fish and it will be easy to clean up.
- giarc 9y agoI'm wondering what are the chances a big storm disperses all the plastic it collected up until that point?
- yakshaving_jgt 9y agoIf this happens, would they not just redeploy and begin collecting again? It's not like dispersion is additive.
- giarc 9y agoYes but if a storm displaces the plastic from the trap every 30 days, seems like a waste of that resource.