What can be done about the Great Garbage Patch of the North Pacific and similar patches?

I just recently watched an episode on the Colbert report where they mentioned this thing and I had never even heard of it. For those like myself. Check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch I have always been disturbed by the enormous amount of pollution in certain corners of the planet but this is a magnitude which just blows my mind. Personally I try to limit my use of plastics and non biodegradable waste especially water bottles and the like. I use canvas for shopping and don’t even use the vegetable plastic bags. What more can be done?