An estimated 8.4 million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste was generated worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 26,000 metric tons was thought to have leaked into the ocean. Asia accounted for almost half of this mismanaged waste, while Europe was responsible for a quarter. The plastic waste comes from sources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 test kits. Plastic waste pollution in the ocean was already a serious global issue prior to the pandemic, but it has only been worsened by the increased use of single-use plastic products.
Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
The Guardian. (November 8, 2021). Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 02, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/
The Guardian. "Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021." Chart. November 8, 2021. Statista. Accessed October 02, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/
The Guardian. (2021). Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 02, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/
The Guardian. "Regional Distribution of Mismanaged Plastic Waste Attributable to The Covid-19 Pandemic as of August 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/
The Guardian, Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/ (last visited October 02, 2024)
Regional distribution of mismanaged plastic waste attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as of August 2021 [Graph], The Guardian, November 8, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275533/mismanaged-plastic-waste-caused-by-covid-19-by-region/