7 May 2012

Fears over tsunami garbage

10:45 am on 7 May 2012

The International Pacific Research Center in Hawaii says debris from the tsunami in Japan last year will add tonnes of waste to the North Pacific garbage patch.

Scientist Jan Hafner says the final destination of tsunami debris that is not washed ashore in Hawaii or North America, will be the North Pacific gyre (garbage patch).

He also says a system should be set up to trace tsunami debris so personal items can be returned or added to a memorial.