How do plastics and trash get from your yard all the way to the mid-Pacific Ocean?

Plastics and trash can travel from your yard to the mid-Pacific Ocean through a combination of wind and water runoff. Rain can wash debris into storm drains, which often lead to rivers and eventually the ocean. Additionally, litter can be blown by the wind over long distances, ultimately finding its way into waterways. Once in the ocean, currents can carry this debris to remote areas, including the mid-Pacific.