Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the complexities of plastic waste management. Our improved, hyper-hygienic way of life in the fear of transmission has conveniently shifted our behavioral patterns like the use of PPE (Personal protective equipment), increased demand for plastic-packaged food and groceries, and the use of disposable utensils. The inadequacies and inefficiencies of our current waste management system to deal with the increased dependence on plastic could aggravate its mismanagement and leakage into the environment, thus triggering a new environmental crisis. Mandating scientific sterilization and the use of sealed bags for safe disposal of contaminated plastic wastes should be an immediate priority to reduce the risk of transmission to sanitation workers. Investments in circular technologies like feedstock recycling, improving the infrastructure and environmental viability of existing techniques could be the key to dealing with the plastic waste fluxes during such a crisis. Transition towards environmentally friendly materials like bioplastics and harboring new sustainable technologies would be crucial to fighting future pandemics. Although the rollbacks and relaxation of single-use plastic bans may be temporary, their likely implications on the consumer perception could hinder our long-term goals of transitioning towards a circular economy. Likewise, any delay in building international willingness and participation to curb any form of pollution through summits and agendas may also delay its implementation. Reduction in plastic pollution and at the same time promoting sustainable plastic waste management technologies can be achieved by prioritizing our policies to instill individual behavioral as well as social, institutional changes. Incentivizing measures that encourage circularity and sustainable practices, and public-private investments in research, infrastructure and marketing would help in bringing the aforementioned changes. Individual responsibility, corporate action, and government policy are all necessary to keep us from transitioning from one disaster to another.

Keywords: COVID-19; Personal protective equipment; Plastic waste; Waste management.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

(a–d). Littering of PPE kits has become a new nuisance to already existing worst marine litter (Masks found washed up on the beach during the pandemic at Soko Islands, Hong Kong during an environmental survey carried out by Marine conservationist NGO group- Oceans Asia; Photo credits: Naomi Brannan) (NGO Oceans Asia, 2020).

Fig. 2

Implications of COVID – 19 on plastic waste generation.

Fig. 3

Trends of plastic waste generation and implications of COVID-19 on existing waste management systems and probable solutions for the challenges in waste management systems post-pandemic (data obtained from Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017).

Fig. 4

Illustration depicting an approach to reduce plastic pollution and to bring more inclusive and sustainable plastic waste management.