The plastic pandemic: COVID-19 has accelerated plastic pollution, but there is a cure

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 847; p. 157555
• Main Authors: Rivas, Marga L., Albion, Ingrid, Bernal, Blanca, Handcock, Rebecca N., Heatwole, Siobhan J., Parrott, Marissa L., Piazza, Kathryn A., Deschaseaux, Elisabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15-11-2022
• Subjects: COVID-19 - epidemiology; Discussion; Environmental Pollution; Global; Humans; Impacts; Microplastics; Pandemics; Plastic; Plastics; Policy; Solutions; Policy; Impacts; Plastic; Microplastics; Solutions; Global
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157555

Plastic pollution is now present in all areas of our planet, including its last wilderness, Antarctica, and the plastic crisis has further escalated because of COVID-19. The pandemic has caused a significant increase in the global consumption of single-use protective items such as masks and gloves. These and other plastic items add to the suite of plastic pollution issues, from entanglement of wildlife to microplastic bioaccumulation. Given plastics are a major threat facing humans and wildlife, swift action to reduce plastic pollution is urgently needed. Solutions to plastic pollution are within reach. With collective, impactful action we will ensure a better future for our planet and ourselves. Here, we propose several measures for decision-makers to implement to achieve a solution and tackle plastic pollution as a united, global community.
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•In just over 100 years humanity has polluted the whole planet with plastic.•Plastic pollution has made it to the Earth’s last wilderness: Antarctica.•The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated single-use plastic pollution.•There is a cure to the global plastic crisis.•Concerted efforts from all facets of our global community are required.