Ocean Plastics Lab coming to Washington’s National Mall, June 4-17

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is among the U.S. sponsors and participants of the Ocean Plastics Lab offsite link, an international outdoor, interactive exhibit, composed of four shipping containers, that is coming to Washington’s National Mall next month. The exhibit brings attention to the global problem of ocean plastic pollution and highlights science-based solutions.

While people are the primary cause of plastic pollution in our ocean – between 4 and 12 million metric tons of plastic land in the ocean every year offsite link – they can also be the solution. The exhibit is designed to help the public learn about the role of science and technology in understanding and tackling the problem of plastic in our ocean.

As they walk through the exhibit, visitors will see the waste from ocean plastics and marine debris, explore how science is detecting its impacts on marine life and ocean health, and learn about efforts to build long-term solutions.

Admission is free. The visit by the lab to Washington’s National Mall is an example of the growing collaboration on ocean science between the United States and the European Union.

WHAT:
Ocean Plastics Lab

WHERE:
Washington National Mall: Between the National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian Castle, at the level of 10th Street NW near Jefferson Drive SW. Nearest Metro: Smithsonian Station-National Mall. Map: http://oceanplasticslab.net/en/opl_exhibition_washington.php offsite link

WHEN:
June 4, open from 12 noon to 7 p.m., June 5 - 17, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BACKGROUND:
The Ocean Plastics Lab was created by the German Marine Research Consortium offsite link and is supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the European Commission. It began its international tour of science, education and outreach in Turin, Italy, in 2017. The lab has visited Paris and Brussels and makes its first transatlantic visit to the United States in Washington, D.C.

For the Washington visit, the lab is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the National Park Service, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and other partners.