Efforts to Stop Plastic Pollution Slowed During Pandemic, Report Finds

Efforts to reduce plastic pollution have slowed across the globe since the COVID-19 pandemic started over two years ago, according to a study from Duke's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. 

The new study was crafted by a team of researchers and students after two years updating a searchable global plastics policy database, reported The Hill.

“The overall effect of the ongoing pandemic on plastic pollution and policy implementation is not fully understood yet, but a few findings are beginning to percolate,” said Rachel Karasik, policy associate at the Nicholas Institute. “The increase in plastic consumption and waste resulting from the pandemic is happening at the same time that many governments are reversing or pausing implementation of plastics policies."