An article on Earth Day in Huff Post Green calls it garbage. The headline reads 'The Tragedy of Ocean Trash.'
The United States (surprise, surprise) is cited as the largest contributor. Here's a link to the article that outlines the life cycle of this crap and tragedy it is.
Happy Earth Day!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/plastic-ocean-garbage_n_5191294.html