Here's an interesting application for plastics that I haven't seen before. The city of Naples, Fla., is using floating islands made of recycled plastic to help clean three local lakes and Naples Bay. According to this story from WZVN-TV in Fort Myers, the islands "look like big, brown floaty devices" when they're launched. Workers then plant native vegetation on top, which naturally filter out oils, metals and other pollution.

I found a few links to companies that market these "floating islands," including this one in Montana and this company in Maryland. Check their sites for photos of the islands and more information.

It's nice to see a marine application for plastics that helps the environment, in contrast to the big marine debris problem.