How Your Trash Ends up in the Ocean [Infographic]

By Colin Rabyniuk

—

Last Updated On April 18, 2023

We may collect a share of sales from items linked to on this page. Learn more.

We’ve written extensively about the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch.

But have you ever wondered how exactly your trash, maybe hundreds of miles inland, makes it out into the ocean?

Check out this infographic and watch the long, convoluted process of how your garbage ends up at sea.

Does this make you think differently about where your trash ends up?

WATCH: Vice's Garbage Island

Colin Rabyniuk

Colin is a writer, journalist and freelance designer based out of Hamilton, Ontario. His writing has appeared on Geekword.net, Aesthetic Magazine Toronto, and the Oakville News. When not hard at work, Colin loves to travel, and has backpacked all over Latin America, the United States and China.

10 Things You Can do to Protect Coral Reefs on Your Next Trip

5 Ways To Be a More Environmentally-Friendly Student