Tracking the flow of plastic pollution

Researchers have been involved in a major study to model the stocks and flows of plastic waste around the world. It reveals how much is being openly burned, discarded on land and ends up in the oceans. Despite the enormous scale of the problem, they say there are achievable solutions.

This scientific inquiry has for the first time given us a comprehensive insight into the staggering amounts of plastic waste being dumped into the world's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

—Dr Costas Velis

Impact

• Environmental impact: revealed the scale of plastic pollution to help tackle it
• Climate change mitigation: paved the way for evidence-based solutions to pollution and environmental degradation

Key information

• Major funders: The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Partners and collaborators: SYSTEMIQ, International Solid Waste Association
• Disciplines: plastic pollution, environment, engineering
• Investigators: Dr Costas Velis, Ed Cook

Keywords: plastic pollution, solid waste, recycling, microplastics, climate change, litter, global warming, environment research, climate justice