Rethinking and optimising plastic waste management under COVID-19 pandemic: Policy solutions based on redesign and reduction of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment

Silva, Ana L. Patrício; Prata, Joana C.; Walker, Tony R.; Campos, Diana; Duarte, Armando C.; Soares, Amadeu M.V.M.; Barceló, Damià; Rocha-Santos, Teresa

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140565

Cited by 408 publications

(216 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Plastic waste generation has increased dramatically during the Covid-19 lockdown. Of particular concern is the increased use of single-use hygiene-related plastics such as masks and gloves which have subsequently been found littering beaches, rivers and streets (Prata et al 2020;Silva et al 2020;Vanapalli et al 2020). In our study site, the number of hygiene-related litter items increased at a similar rate as other types of litter as the lockdown progressed (SM Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Street Litter in South Africa

2020

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The lockdowns instigated to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic offered a unique opportunity to assess how restrictions on human activity affect street litter. We recorded daily litter arrival rates for 50 days in two South African cities from the time of strictest lockdown through two successive easings in regulations. The strict lockdown had no marked impact on litter composition, which was dominated by convenience foods and beverages (29% by number, 34% by mass) and tobacco products (33% by number, 3% by mass). The ban on the sale of tobacco products during the lockdown did not greatly reduce the number of cigarette butts and associated packaging. Vehicle parts accounted for <1% of litter items (2% by mass) whereas household waste spilled from bins prior to or during collection accounted for 3% of litter items (14% by mass). Street litter loads decreased roughly by a factor of three during the strict lockdown. The increase in litter was gradual, suggesting a reduction in compliance with regulations as the lockdown continued. Our results show a clear link between human activity levels and littering. Highlights • Street litter loads increased threefold in two cities as COVID lockdowns eased. • Cigarette butts made up 33% of litter by number despite a ban on tobacco sales. • There is a clear link between human activity levels and littering.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Street Litter in South Africa

2020

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“…The majority of PPE products are intended for one-time use, introducing a new category of waste. Various management and environmental issues have emerged with widespread PPE use [23], including waste management decisions on the collection, transport, and treatment of waste, and the issues with social behavior in PPE waste disposal [24]. As indicated in the results of this study, waste management approaches differ between local governments and waste collection companies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Is a Challenge for Waste Collection Companies and Society: A Case Study in Poland

et al. 2020

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One of the social measures applied during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)—face masks and gloves. As a result, this waste category has expanded enormously. This study investigates waste management issues from multiple perspectives, including local governments, waste collection companies, and individual citizens in Poland using a telephone survey for institutions and an online questionnaire for individuals. The results of this study show that approximately 80% of local governments in the Silesian region have applied special measures for handling and collection of waste PPE. Only 13% of waste collection companies have applied special collection schedules for the waste generated at quarantine collection points due to the high costs of changing collection schedules, providing additional vehicles, and paying for more labor. The information campaigns focusing on new methods of PPE waste collection have been difficult to introduce on a large scale, and citizens need better information regarding how to handle and dispose of waste PPE. Results indicated the most helpful method in supporting waste PPE collection would be automatic PPE dispensers with waste PPE collection options and waste bags of a designated color. The respondents identified waste PPE pollution of the environment as an issue and the necessity for proper recovery of this waste stream.

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“…Although lobbyists from the plastics industry have capitalised on these concerns before (e.g., [29]), recent concerns over COVID-19 safety have then resulted in a reversal of policies to ban or reduce SUP and fee payments in some jurisdictions. For example, in New York and Maine, SUP ban was delayed to 15th of May 2020 and 15th January 2021, respectively; while Massachusetts and New Hampshire reintroduced SUPs and even banned the use of reusable shopping bags due to potential health threats to workers and customers [9]. Viable SARS-CoV-2 virus persists longer on plastic surfaces than other materials, such as cardboard [as reviewed by 9, 32]; thus it could be argued that rescinding SUP bans could be premature, as many consumers have already adjusted to using non-plastic alternatives following the implementation of these policies these policies in many jurisdictions worldwide [38,39].…”

Section: Increased Use and Demand Of Single-use-plasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the plastic demand and waste generation are yet to be assessed for the first semester of 2020, it can be predicted a generalised increment on packaging and on medical sectors due to the demand for SUP (also boosted by the shift in ban policies) and PPE due to COVID-19 [9,29]. SUP was already one of the major contributors to marine litter [47].…”

Section: Impacts Of Covid-19 Preventive Measures On the Environment Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, environmental health problems have received less and less attention from governmental agencies, the scientific community and general public. This can be perceived by the withdrawal of several national and state-wide agreements on the use and consumption of plastics [9], and the numerous publications in international peer-review journals (Fig.1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations

Silva

Prata

Walker

et al. 2021

Chemical Engineering Journal

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683

268

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Rethinking and optimising plastic waste management under COVID-19 pandemic: Policy solutions based on redesign and reduction of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment

Cited by 408 publications

References 39 publications

The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Street Litter in South Africa

The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Street Litter in South Africa

Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Is a Challenge for Waste Collection Companies and Society: A Case Study in Poland

Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations

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