SPARK: New Green Drinks NYC Event Series

March 26th Green Drinks NYC Event Features Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen, co-founders of The 5 Gyres Institute.

Posted by Paul E. McGinniss



On March 26th in NYC I am guest hosting an event featuring the husband and wife dynamic duo, Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen, co-founders of The 5 Gyres Institute. The mission of The 5 Gyres Institute is to conduct research and raise awareness about the global impact of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. To understand the impact of plastic pollution, Anna and Marcus study the 5 subtropical gyres of plastic pollution that have accumulated in the oceans by bravely sailing through them, gathering and studying data.

Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen, co-founders of The 5 Gyres Institute

The accumulation of plastic in the oceans, most of which originates from land based sources, is having adverse long term effects on sea life, as well as humans. One of the major problems with waste plastic ending up in the oceans is that the plastic degrades into smaller particles that are eaten by birds and sea life who mistake it for food. In addition to harming wildlife, this toxic plastic can also become part of the human food chain as it is eaten by fish. This chain of toxicity is similar to how dangerous levels of mercury are found in fish as a result of pollution emanating from industrial activity, including coal fired power plants, that finds its way into our waterways.

In addition to highlighting the problems associated with plastic in the sea, 5 Gyres employs strategies to eliminate the accumulation of plastic pollution in oceans.

Plastic particles from the ocean. Pic Courtesy 5 Gyres.


The goal of 5 Gyres is to stop the flow of plastic to the sea and eliminate plastic pollution in the oceans by advocating new materials, better designed products, fair legislation and consumer education. 5 Gyres also aids post-consumer cleanup efforts by focusing on coastal and island debris removal and mitigation.

Please come meet Eco-heroes, Anna and Marcus, in NYC and learn more about their incredible, inspiring work and how we can all help to make a difference. The event takes place at the TOTO showroom in SoHo from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Make Reservations and Check Out Details Here.

Check out Dr. Marcus Eriksen talking about Plastic in the Ocean on The Martha Stewart Show.



Just back from his 2008, 2000 mile voyage from California to Hawaii on a craft made of 15,000 bottles & half a Cessna airplane, Marcus Eriksen, PhD tackles his biggest challenge yet - Martha Stewart!