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
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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 November 22, 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 November 22, 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: November 22, 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 November 22, 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/
