The Pacific 'garbage patch': Twice the size of Texas

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Every year, eight tonnes of plastic flows into the Pacific Ocean from surrounding countries. George Leonard, chief scientist at Ocean Conservancy, explains the composition of the garbage patch and the long-term problem of plastic pollution. 'The important thing for people to realise about plastics in the ocean is that they never biodegrade, they never break down.' Photo: Garbage on the Pacific coastline Credit: Getty Images