Measuring Our Success: How Better Data Can Help Keep Plastic Out of the Ocean

The Circulate Initiative (TCI) highlights the growing global imperative to curtail ocean plastic pollution, acknowledging significant data challenges that hinder collective action. In 2015, Dr Jenna Jambeck's research reported about eight million metric tons of plastic entering oceans annually, predominantly from five Asian nations. Despite this alarming revelation, progress in quantifying and tracking plastic waste, identifying its sources, and assessing the efficacy of interventions has been slow. TCI, in collaboration with partners like SecondMuse, introduced the Plastics Data Challenge to stimulate innovative data solutions. Concurrently, they established an Impact Metrics Working Group, gathering insights from experts, researchers, and data ventures. 

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, increasing plastic waste due to single-use packaging and disrupting waste management infrastructures. However, the shift from problem recognition to solution implementation offers hope. TCI calls for addressing four critical data needs and closing existing knowledge gaps to accelerate anti-plastic pollution efforts.