Researchers say that the new levels of microplastic pollution now ranges from 12-125 trillion, up from the previous estimate of 5-50 trillion.

A recent analysis found that the patch is accumulating debris at a faster rate than scientists previously thought.

The study questions "the widely held assumption that most plastic debris at sea comes from land-based sources."

A Canadian company believes the technology it helped fund will lead to cleaner oceans and reduce the amount of waste that gets dumped into them.

More than eight years after an earthquake and tsunami ravaged a Fukushima power plant, Japan has not formally decided what to do with contaminated water from the incident.

Local members of Parliament announced the new $8.3-million Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Contribution Support Program in Dartmouth on Tuesday.

"The carpet itself illustrates we aren't doing enough to prevent plastic pollution from getting into our waterways and contaminating our beaches."

Tests showed the material is polyethylene, the world’s most widely used plastic.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society says in a report that while there has been progress in recent years, recommendations from international scientific bodies suggest there's more work to do.

“The plastic on Cocos (Keeling) was largely single-use consumer items such as bottle caps and straws, as well as a large number of shoes."