[Lewis Thomson (OP)]

Paul has a thought on how to combat microplastics in the ocean.

"Is it possible to dangle two lines behind ships one positive, one negative to entice plastic particles to attach themselves and when the vessel gets to the next port the amount of plastic gathered is used to reduce docking fees?"

Discuss in the comments below...

[Eternal Student]

Hi.

   The idea seems very commendable and something vaguely like it might work.

   One minor issue is that sea water is full of salt and conducts electricity reasonably well.   So it's very hard to maintain a static charge on anything.  An alternative might be just to pull a fine net behind the ship.   However, that will probably kill more sealife than the good it's doing by removing bits of plastic.

Best Wishes.