There is so much waste out there, in fact, that in a deserted stretch of the Pacific Ocean void of shipping lanes, islands and human life, miles and miles of trash has accumulated, drawn there by converging currents.
So, is this an opportunity?
Globally, getting rid of waste is a big business. Waste firms see big opportunity in places such as China and Brazil, which spend $5 billion per year collecting and ridding themselves of waste. That is sure to grow, as the development keeps getting thicker.
Waste is also an energy source once it is collected. Many see a future without waste, where household trash and pig poop can generate energy for households. Now, it’s a matter of getting the politicians on our side.
- Market Vector Environmental Services ETF (EVX): down 7.2% year-to-date