Citizen science: A way forward in tackling the plastic pollution crisis during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented surge of production, consumption, and disposal of single-use plastics (SUPs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) by the public. This widespread use of mostly plastic items like face masks and disposable gloves has led to global reports of improper disposal of potentially infectious PPE both in our urban and natural environments. Due to international travel restrictions during the pandemic, many research programs targeted at measuring plastic pollution were halted. These disruptions to research programs have stunted the ability to assess the true quantities of SUPs and PPE being mismanaged from the waste stream into the environment. This article calls for increased citizen science participation in collecting plastic pollution data both during and post pandemic. By initiating this dialogue and raising attention to the importance and potential of citizen science data collection, data can be used to develop globally informed plastic pollution mitigation strategies . (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in production and consumption of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment, resulting in global reports of improper disposal and pollution. Travel restrictions during the pandemic have halted plastic pollution research programs, calling for increased citizen science participation to collect data and develop mitigation strategies.