TRASH FREE SEAS IN CALIFORNIA OCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL MARINE DEBRIS WORKSHOP June 28, 2013 Nicholas J. Mallos

TOP 10 ITEMS: CA CLEANUP

5 TOP 10 ITEMS: 5 YEAR TRENDS

3 TOP 10 ITEMS: MASS VS. ABUNDANCERankItemTotal Mass (kg) 1Glass beverage bottles (7)35, Food wrappers & Takeout containers (2)9, Paper bags (4)3, Plastic beverage bottles (9)2, Plastic bags (4)2, Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons (5)1, Beverage cans (10)1, Caps & Lids (3) Cigarettes & Cigarette Filters (1) Straws & Stirrers (6)108.26

3 ANSWERING THE PLASTICS “SO WHAT?” National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis Principle objectives: I.Analysis and synthesis of the risks and impacts of marine debris I.Quantification of plastic debris in the marine environment I.Probabilistic risk assessment of marine debris

3 INCREASING RIGOR OF PLASTICS DATA New Cleanup data form –Material specific –Tiny trash (i.e. plastics, glass, PS) California trash analysis: –Brand characterizations –Classification of beach plastics

THANK YOU

5 Brands A-D comprise 54% of trash OCEAN TRASH BRAND CHARACTERIZATION

PE + PP 92.3% beach 58.0% annual BEACH VS. ANNUAL PLASTICS