Scientific Reports published a new study last month suggesting that the Great Pacific Garbage patch is "up to 16 times bigger than previous estimates." In fact, according to some sources, the patch is double the size of Texas, and three times as large as France. The primary source of waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and beyond is, of course, plastic. Another study recently highlighted that as of 2015, approximately 6300 million metric tons of plastic waste have been generated, and that only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Luckily, businesses and organizations are beginning to recognize the damage we're causing to our natural environment and are developing solutions to minimize the amount of plastics entering our waste stream, our landfills and ultimately, our oceans.

In this conversation, Emma Riley of Lonely Whale and Jane Abernethy of Humanscale will tackle the effects of plastic pollution and what we can do about it as designers, manufacturers and individuals. They will discuss the circular economy and new initiatives to reduce plastic pollution including the Next Wave Initiative, Lonely Whale's Strawless Ocean campaign, and Humanscale's work with Bureo to turn plastic fishing nets into task chairs. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Lonely Whale and the Sustainability Officer at Humanscale, a company long dedicated to achieving a net-positive environmental impact, Riley and Abernethy share unique insights and perspectives that can benefit everyone in design and manufacturing, as well as concerned citizens, and ultimately our planet.