Dive Brief:

• New executive plans to eliminate ocean pollution were announced at a conference given by the U.S. State Department.
• The State Department used the conference to bring attention to its "Trash Free Waters" program. The program uses sustainable product design, material recovery and reuse of materials to eliminate waste before it makes its way into the ocean.
• One aspect of the Action Plan pushes for a reduction of a large volume of ocean debris by 2025, with a focus on the removal of plastic waste. 

Dive Insight:

The plastic waste floating around the ocean has garnered a tremendous amount of attention, due in part to the search for a missing plane, hampered by tons of waste that obstructed the view of the rescue party. From establishing plastic "exchange centers," to stepping up bottle deposits, many ideas have been tossed around as practical solutions to deal with, and eliminate, the floating heap of waste.