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

Abstract

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.

An emerging source of plastic pollution: Environmental presence of plastic personal protective equipment (PPE) debris related to COVID-19 in a metropolitan city

“…Given that disinfectant wipes are commercially available through multiple retail locations including the grocery stores surveyed, it is unsurprising that this form of PPE debris made up the majority from this survey. The widespread presence of disinfectant wipes was also noted in urban debris surveys in South Africa during the pandemic; within surveys this PPE item exceeded the numbers of face masks and gloves that were recorded ( Ryan et al., 2020 ). Companies that produce sanitary and disinfectant products like Reckitt Benckiser (major producer of disinfectant wipe products) reported 2020 first quarter earnings were up by 12.3%; there was an “exceptional demand” for hygiene related products in March and April ( Reckitt Benckiser, 2020 ).…”

“…Similar to previous investigations examining litter loads during COVID-19 (i.e. Ryan et al., 2020 ), we were unable to collect pre-pandemic baseline data. However in previous debris surveys based in coastal environments, medical-related debris comprised a relatively small proportion of the total debris items recorded (∼0.2%; Nelms et al., 2020 ).…”

“…entrances and green spaces from the street level) and although there was a high volume of general traffic, we found trends consistent with this debris arising from the medical facilities themselves (see section below). Similarly, PPE debris including masks and a high number of disinfectant wipes were discarded in proximity to a community health clinic in Durban, South Africa ( Ryan et al., 2020 ). As hospitals have relatively contained and strict waste management systems ( Government of Ontario, 2020c ; Windfeld and Brooks, 2015 ) this finding was unexpected.…”

“…Similarly closures of potential sources for debris (i.e. retail and government buildings) may have resulted with reduced litter loads recorded in debris surveys conducted in South African urban mixed-residential areas during COVID-19 lockdowns ( Ryan et al., 2020 ). As closures varied at different stages of the lockdowns it was suggested by authors that litter loads would have been higher in non-mixed residential areas.…”

“…were the lowest but increased as lockdown restrictions eased ( Ryan et al., 2020 ). Although the presence and mass of PPE debris increased with the duration of the pandemic and lockdowns, overall, PPE consisted of a small proportion of <1% of the total debris collected ( Ryan et al., 2020 ). The low proportion of single-use PPE could be attributed to the widespread use of reusable items like cloth face masks.…”