#plastic pollution

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. says plastic pollution has become one of the most urgent threats facing Black communities, arguing that the problem belongs in the same category as

Newstoter24-7

The ocean is the planet's largest ecosystem, and home to an incredible diversity of life... but also to tons of plastic.

Plastic that made it to the ocean accumulates in gyres, the biggest one being the North Pacific Gyre, which also hosts the world's largest accumulation of floating plastic - the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Estimated to be twice the size of Texas and weighing about 100,000 tons, the GPGP remains a mystery to many.

How much do people actually know about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

We went around Venice Beach, Los Angeles, and asked some strangers to find out. You'd be surprised by what they answered...

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:15 Where did these items come from?

00:42 Introducing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

1:31 Will people guess its weight?

2:34 If you could say something to the ocean, what would it be?

3:18 What does the ocean mean to people?

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 I’m excited to share the newly dropped Pride Collection of SUP Tidal Treasures 🌊💎 These marine debris creations are for everyone, no matter who you love, no matter how you identify, and I hope you see yourself reflected in this work and feel proud this month and always 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤎🤍🩶🖤

Author: Sindhuri Polavaram. 2025

Advisor: Jeff Rosen

This thesis spans policy, technology adaptation, finance and broad circular economy principles using a variety of methods.  I appreciate the singular focus on microplastics generated by the fashion industry.  I thought Sindhu did a good job drilling down into the specific area from both a science and a policy lens, given her dual degree.  I appreciated the way she cascaded from big picture to small solution, examined policies on an international basis and then examined the way these polices might be spurring private investment.  In the end, I appreciated the practical application and the way this thesis could connect policy and private market activity to spur needed innovation.

ABSTRACT

The textile industry is a major contributor to global microplastic pollution, primarily through the release of synthetic microfibers into aquatic environments during production, use, and disposal. Microplastic fiber pollution poses ecological and human health risks while remaining largely unaddressed in existing waste management systems. Policy, innovation, and sustainable finance are explored as important drivers in mitigating microplastic fiber pollution. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that consider circular economy frameworks, targeted technological innovation, and impact investments are critical to systemic change. The research highlights the need for integrated strategies across governance, industry, and capital flows to achieve a sustainable and equitable textile sector while minimizing impacts on water quality.