The concept
The Ocean Cleanup Array utilizes long floating barriers
which —being at an angle— capture and concentrate
the plastic, making mechanical extraction possible. One
of the main advantages of this passive cleanup concept
is that it is scalable. Using the natural circulation period
of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, cleanup duration
could be reduced to a minimum of just 5 years.
Using a passive collection approach, operational expenses
can potentially be very low, making the cleanup more
viable. Furthermore, converting the extracted plastic into
either energy, oil or new materials could partly cover execution
costs.
Because no nets would be used, a passive cleanup may
well be harmless to the marine ecosystem and could potentially
catch particles that are much smaller than what
nets could capture.