I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason why we haven’t done this yet. Too expensive? Would launching it into the sun cause the smoke (if there is even smoke in space) to find its way back to Earth, therefore polluting the air?

This is an incredibly stupid question.

    • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      A lot of ocean trash comes by river from poor countries.

      Also by river from wealthy countries, and has done so for centuries.

      The scope of the task of removing it is far bigger than OP can imagine.

      • bestboyfriendintheworld@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        2 months ago

        https://ourworldindata.org/ocean-plastics

        Most of the plastic in our oceans comes from land-based sources: by weight, 70% to 80% is plastic that is transported from land to the sea via rivers or coastlines

        Most of the world’s largest emitting rivers are in Asia, with some also in East Africa and the Caribbean

        Seven of the top ten rivers are in the Philippines. Two are in India, and one in Malaysia. The Pasig River in the Philippines alone accounts for 6.4% of global river plastics

        Rich countries tend to have better functioning waste collection and disposal services.

    • yesman@lemmy.world
      0·
      2 months ago

      Ocean trash comes from plastic manufacturers. Responsible wealthy countries ship their dutiful recyclables to garbage pits in poor countries.

      Most poor people don’t even have the education or resources to polymerize crude into poly-vinyl, it’s harder than you’d think.