The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an additional 8.4 million tons of plastic waste, including masks, protective equipment, and other medical supplies. Shockingly, at least 25,000 tons of this waste have already made their way into the oceans, exacerbating the already out-of-control global plastic pollution problem. According to a study by the University of California in San Diego, the pandemic has resulted in an additional 8.4 million tons of plastic waste in 193 countries. This is a significant increase from the approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste produced by humans each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The majority of this additional waste was generated in hospitals (87.4%), particularly in Asia, with the remainder coming from masks and other protective equipment used by companies and households (7.6%) and additional packaging from online retailers (4.7%). Plastic waste is a major environmental problem that harms marine life, and the Covid-19 pandemic has only made it worse due to the increased demand for single-use plastic. The study’s authors, Yiming Peng and Peipei Wu, estimate that over 25,000 tons of Covid-19 waste have already entered the oceans, and much of it will either sink to the ocean floor or wash up on beaches within the next three to four years.
The authors of the study are calling for environmentally responsible management of medical waste, particularly in developing countries. They warn that the pandemic has only worsened the already out-of-control global plastic pollution problem. Plastic waste is a significant threat to marine life and the environment, and urgent action is needed to address this issue. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for sustainable solutions to waste management, and it is up to individuals, governments, and businesses to take action to reduce plastic waste and protect our planet.
