Coronavirus Stresses the War on Plastic
Photo by Chatelaine
Sustainability and reusable items have come into the spotlight of consumer trends in recent years, which has inspired the rise in the market of single-use plastic alternatives. Unfortunately, since the coronavirus outbreak the sustainability movement has regressed from its previous progress in the fight against single-use plastics.
The fear over the virus has been the biggest driver of this new pro-plastic movement which has reversed plastic bans in the U.S. and beyond.
It is indisputable that COVID-19 has altered every aspect of our lives including how we perceive the use of single-use plastics in our everyday lives, even for the most sustainably-minded. This blog will examine the renewed demand for plastics, the myth of plastic being considered “safer” and how the coronavirus will impact sustainability from innovative solutions to consumer mindsets.
The Renewed Demand for Single-Use Plastic in COVID Times
Fear has been a huge motive of consumer behavior and trends during this pandemic. While fear is a natural response to an immediate threat and an important way to ensure our survival, it has been helpful by making us more health-conscious and also detrimental at the same time if we look at this new plastic wave.
At grocery stores and restaurants, essential workers have been sent to the frontlines of the virus. Policies to protect workers from the spread of the virus has prompted businesses to implement measures to reverse bans on plastic bags. Some locations have even gone as far as banning reusable mugs or bags from stores. The reasoning behind this decision is the belief that reusable products can lead to virus transmission. With individuals taking every step necessary to slow the spread of the virus, businesses like grocery stores have returned to single-use plastic in several U.S. states.
The demand for plastic has extended far beyond businesses. The medical industry relies on many single-use plastic items to care for patients like gloves, syringes, insulin pens and IV tubes just to name a few. The demand to produce these types of items has increased exponentially since the virus began to peak. Alternative solutions (i.e. homemade masks) to single-use PPE (personal protective equipment) have been proven to not be sufficient enough for complete protection, even as shortages have forced medical staff to resort to using such masks and equipment from materials like garbage bags.
The bigger question on the minds of medical workers and consumers alike is how the virus spreads via materials, especially in the plastics vs. reusables debate.
The “safest” choice: Plastics vs. Reusables?
Until now, there has been no proof that reusable items present any more risk of transmitting the virus than plastics.
Some experts say the shift back to plastic is fear-driven, and that the focus should be on other safety measures. However, many pro-plastic corporations and lobbies have turned to a 2018 study emphasizing plastic's ability to extend shelf-life on top of the nature of its convenience and safety as a rebranding strategy to gain ground in the battle on plastics.
This approach, along with the increased demand for certain plastic products and consumer fear of spreading the virus has been an unforeseen blessing for the pro-plastic industry. As long as plastics are perceived as safer, they will unfortunately not be going anywhere until fear from the pandemic has subsided.
The facts on reusable items: research does show most reusable bags can carry bacteria. In a study, researchers found E. coli traces in 10% of the bags they tested, so there is some truth that reusable bags can be a source of transmitting germs. Scientists do not have enough evidence regarding how the coronavirus itself interacts with reusable items and materials like cloth to fully understand the risks of transmission. While proper cleaning would usually dispel fears of transmission, people are trying to be extra cautious with the coronavirus hence studies like these can deter those who would normally bring along reusable bags.
The facts on plastics: However, you shouldn't completely rely on plastic bags or cups to be fully germ/virus-proof either. The coronavirus can last on plastic for two to three days, which is plenty of time for it to spread. While viruses may live on reusable products longer, the coronavirus can spread in a matter of seconds regardless of the material.
Takeaway: Essentially, anything that is taken from a place where there is contact with people (grocery store) to your home, can transmit the virus be it plastic or another material including clothing items.Being cautious with plastic is just as important as it is with reusable items and washing your reusable items can mitigate the associated risks.
How It Affects Sustainability
The movement towards reversing plastic bans will come at a cost in terms of sustainability. Environmental sustainability will definitely take a hit from the amount of plastic waste that will be generated from this pandemic. Plastics of any size are harmful to wildlife and water supplies, if they are not properly disposed of, that is, secured tightly in a garbage bag and brought to a waste facility.
The majority of plastics are actually waste with only around 8.4% (according to the EPA) able to be recycled. From oceans to landfills, large plastics will eventually break apart into microplastics and may become part of the food chain, full of harmful chemicals and toxins that can disrupt ecosystems, wildlife and the human body.
As the coronavirus continues, more plastics will continue to be produced and will too become waste— from industrial, medical and individual use. Even though this regression can feel frustrating in the short-term, there are ways you can help.
Preventing Plastic Waste through Innovation and Mindset
The sustainability movement for now has regressed in the form of plastic waste, but remember that opportunities arise in times of crisis. For instance, due to shortages of single-use PPE in the hospitals around the world, scientists have found a way to properly clean and reuse protective medical-grade N-95 face masks. Innovative thinking like this in times of crisis can pave the path for cutting down waste, even in the medical field, which was previously thought unthinkable.
As a conscious consumer, research if plastic bag bans have been reversed in your home state or country. Even states that have repealed plastic bans have some stores (like Trader Joe’s) that will allow reusables if customers bag their own items.
The idea of "reduce, reuse, recycle" still stands even in the midst of this crisis. Once you know your footprint, you can pinpoint areas where you often use plastics and make a game plan to find suitable alternatives. For instance, as a result of the crisis many people are choosing to buy groceries in bulk including plastic water bottles, which are seen as a crisis-staple. While buying in bulk can be a good sustainable idea generally, investing in a water filter, though, will provide months of safe filtered water for a lower cost and cut back your use of hundreds of plastic bottles a year.
The coronavirus has created difficult circumstances for millions of people across the world and consumer demands for plastics are complex. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind the sustainable principles that you stand for in normal times and use your judgement to apply it to the here and now. With this mindset intact, sustainability will carry on.