Across the island in David Hyrenbach's lab, the impact of plastic debris is apparent among the animal species he studies: birds.

CNN: Japanese tsunami debris makes its way into Hawaiian birds

In June 2006 a United Nations Environmental Program report estimated that there is an average of 46, 000 pieces of plastic debris in every square mile of ocean.

CNN: Fighting the tide of plastic bags in a world awash with waste

Plastic makes up about 80 percent of all marine debris -- plastic shopping bags alone make up 10 percent.

CNN: The stark reality of a throw-away society

In New Zealand Scion Research works to convert the waste stream from pulp and paper processing into a blend of microbial cell wall debris and plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA. Plant a PHA flower pot into the ground and and it biodegrades.

FORBES: Revving Up Nature's Engines

Approximately 60 to 80 percent of marine debris is plastic, the majority of which is as a result of our mindless use of one-life plastics, 60 percent of which is comprised of plastic bags, Styrofoam (used for take away foods), drinks bottles and their caps.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The wildlife fund organizes beach cleanups along Hawaii's shorelines and struggles to keep up with the marine debris, made up primarily of plastic.

CNN: Japanese tsunami debris makes its way into Hawaiian birds

Between 700, 000 and 1 million seabirds are killed each year by marine debris such as discarded fishing line and plastic bags.

CNN: The stark reality of a throw-away society

Kenyan fans began throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch bringing the game to a halt briefly while the pitch was cleared of debris.

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