Leveraging the power of  science, advocacy, and community to drive innovative solutions to plastic pollution. 

OUR MISSION

OUR STORY

MARCUS ERIKSEN AND ANNA CUMMINS FOUNDED THE 5 GYRES INSTITUTE TO INVESTIGATE KEY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLASTIC POLLUTION:

  • HOW MUCH PLASTIC IS FLOATING IN THE WORLD’S OCEANS?

  • WHERE IS IT ACCUMULATING?

  • IS IT CAUSING HARM TO PEOPLE AND THE PLANET?

  • AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

WE EXPLORED 50,000 NAUTICAL MILES IN SEARCH OF PLASTIC ON 19 RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS, PUBLISHING GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH, BUILDING A GLOBAL NETWORK OF AMBASSADORS, AND INSPIRING CHANGE ALONG THE WAY.

Gyre
/ˈjī(ə)r/

A large-scale system of wind-driven surface currents in the ocean. The gyres referred to in the name of our organization are the five main subtropical gyres — located in the North and South Pacific, the North and South Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean — which are massive, circular current systems where plastic accumulates.

We're leaders in the plastic pollution movement.

5 Gyres provides scientific expertise to companies and organizations as we work together for a planet free from plastic pollution.