The Ocean: A New Home For Pandemic Plastic Waste

Plastic management has become a major global environmental concern. However, due to the durable, inexpensive, and disposable quality of plastic, it remains a popular material for creating medical tools and protective equipment. When COVID-19 cases spiraled in 2020, the demand for disposable face masks, shields, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) increased. In addition, social distancing norms meant that many people turned to online shopping, which usually involves disposable plastic packaging. 

During the pandemic, many countries have struggled to process and treat their single-use plastic waste in the face of ever-increasing demand. As a result, some of this plastic has ended up in the ocean. This is problematic because it poses a threat to the marine environment, including the wild animals who live there. Previous research has shown that animals are being injured and even killed by pandemic-related plastic entanglement and ingestion. Plastic debris may also carry harmful particles and organisms. 

In this study, the authors attempted to understand how much mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) is being discharged into the ocean as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a series of statistical models to test best- and worst-case scenarios, they estimate that around 8.4 million tons of excess MMPW was produced during the pandemic by the end of August 2021. 87% of this waste came from hospitals, while only 8% came from non-medical PPE, 5% came from packaging, and less than 1% came from COVID-19 test kits. 

Although North America had the highest number of COVID-19 cases, plastic waste has been highest in Asia, followed by Europe. The authors note that many developing countries such as Brazil, China, and India may struggle to treat and dispose of their plastic waste, especially in pandemic epicenters. Because mask-wearing and online shopping are prevalent in Asia, this may contribute to the large amount of MMPW seen in the region.

But the question remains: How much of the MMPW has ended up in the ocean? According to the authors’ estimates, around 26 thousand tons of plastic waste has been released into the ocean as a result of the pandemic, flowing from 369 global rivers. Much of this comes from rivers in Asia (79%), followed by rivers in Europe (11%). The authors further estimate that 71% of this MMPW ended up on beaches by the end of 2021, while 16% ended up in the seabed and 13% in seawater. While a large portion of this waste has been limited to coastal areas around rivers, it’s possible that it could shift to the open ocean in the coming years.

By the end of the century, the situation is predicted to worsen. For example, the authors believe that around 71% of pandemic-associated plastic waste will end up on beaches by 2100, while 29% will end up in the ocean seabed. Around 17% of total plastic influx may be found in the Arctic Ocean, where the marine environment is especially susceptible to pollution. 

While these numbers are estimates, it’s clear that the pandemic has resulted in a large amount of plastic waste. And because the virus continues to affect the global population, it’s unlikely that single-use plastic production will return to pre-pandemic rates anytime soon. To protect marine animals and their environment, animal advocates should raise awareness of this issue to the media and public, especially in regions where the heaviest pollution is taking place. Similarly, advocates can push for stronger legislation, innovative technologies, and better waste management practices to combat waste in the medical industry. Finally, now is the time to push for environmentally-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. The lives of countless marine animals depend on it.