Can you clean up the pacific garbage patch?

It can't really. It is too big and would cost too much. Even if work stared to be done to remove the debris from the collection, there are countless tiny bits of plastic that the sun has broken down (but not completely). It would take MANY generations to get it cleaned. Then it would take a continuous effort on everyone to keep it clean beacause of the currents that pull the debris from the shores and rivers to that location. Everyday, more trash is being collected there and it doesn't leave unless an animal takes it away. Then, there is the problem that what would you do with what is being taken out. I'm not saying that it should be left there but really, who is going to put that much time, money, and effort into it. Most people in the U.S. don't even know about it.