Plastic pollution is getting worse in our oceans, where millions of tons of plastic are dumped each year. Even though it can be hard to clean up this plastic once it gets into the ocean, a number of companies and organizations are working to recycle plastic found in marine environments. Here’s how plastic from the ocean is reused: 

Plastic out of the ocean

The first step in recycling plastic from the ocean is to get the plastic out of the ocean. There are many ways to do this, such as with boats, drones, or even submarines. 

Sorting Once the plastic has been gathered, it needs to be sorted by type and cleaned to get rid of any dirt or other trash. Most of the time, this is done by hand, but some companies are making automated systems for sorting. 

Shredding: Once the plastic has been sorted and cleaned, it is cut into small pieces to make it easier to work with. 

Melting: The shredded plastic is then heated until it becomes a liquid that can be shaped into new things. 

Molding: Once the plastic has melted, it is shaped into new items like bags, outdoor gear, and other things. 

Finishing: The last step is to finish the new products, which may mean adding logos or other branding elements. 

By recycling plastic, manufacturers are able to reduce their dependence on petroleum and create a product with a much lower environmental impact than products made from new materials.