An estimated 26,000 tons of mismanaged plastic waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has been leaked to the ocean. Of this total, approximately 5,200 tons was discharged by the Shatt al-Arab river in Iraq. The Yangtze river was also a major source of marine pollution, having carried almost 4,000 tons of pandemic-related waste to the ocean. Many of the most polluting rivers are in Asia, which accounts for 81 percent of global plastics waste emitted to the ocean.
Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river
(in 1,000 tons)
Characteristic
Discharge in thousand tons
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
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). Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river (in 1,000 tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/
The Guardian. "Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river (in 1,000 tons)." Chart. November 8, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/
The Guardian. (2021). Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river (in 1,000 tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/
The Guardian. "Discharges of Covid-19-associated Plastic Waste to The Ocean as of August 2021, by Major River (in 1,000 Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/
The Guardian, Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river (in 1,000 tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Discharges of COVID-19-associated plastic waste to the ocean as of August 2021, by major river (in 1,000 tons) [Graph], The Guardian, November 8, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275603/pandemic-related-plastic-waste-ocean-discharges-by-major-river/