Plastic makes a comeback during crisis
In eight years, US environmentalist and social media star Lauren Singer had never sent an item of rubbish to landfill. But last month, in an impassioned post to her 383,000 Instagram followers, she admitted the reality of Covid-19 had changed that.
“I sacrificed my values and bought items in plastic . . . why would I go against something that I have actively prioritised and promoted?”
She stocked up on items she’d need if confined to her home for a long period — much of it packaged in plastic.
Her confession encapsulates how the pandemic has challenged those of us who are trying to reduce our waste.
Many sustainability-conscious people may now find themselves with cupboards stocked with plastic bottles of hand sanitiser, disposable wipes and takeaway food containers.
We research how consumers respond to change, such as why consumers largely resisted single-use plastic bag bans. Recently we’ve explored how the coronavirus has changed the use of plastic bags, containers and other disposable products.
Amid concern over health and hygiene during the pandemic, the problem of disposable plastics has taken a back seat.
Australian supermarket Coles’ home delivery service is delivering items in plastic bags (albeit reusable ones) and many coffee shops have banned reusable mugs, including global Starbucks branches.
Restaurants and other food businesses can now only offer home delivery or takeaway options. Many won’t allow customers to bring their own containers, defaulting to disposables, which generate plastic waste.
Demand for products such as disposable wipes, cleaning agents, hand sanitiser, disposable gloves and masks is at a record high.
Hospitals and aged care facilities have been advised to double-bag clinical waste from Covid-19 patients.
Many drop-off points for soft plastics are closed, and some supermarkets have removed drop-off bins.
In the US, lobbyists for the plastic industry have taken advantage of health fears by arguing single-use plastic bags are a more hygienic option than reusable ones. Plastic bag bans have since been rolled back.
However, there is little evidence to show plastic bags are a safer option, and at least reusable cloth bags can be washed.
A relaxation on plastic bag bans is likely to have long-term consequences for consumer behaviour.
Research shows one of the biggest challenges in promoting sustainable behaviours is to break old habits and adopt new ones. Once people return to using plastic bags, the practice becomes normalised again.
In Europe, the plastic industry is using the threat of coronavirus contamination to push back against a ban on single-use plastics.
Many people are using their time at home to clear out items they no longer need. However, most second-hand and charity shops are closed, so items that might have had a second life end up in landfill.
Similarly, many tool, book and toy libraries are closed, meaning some people will be buying items they might otherwise have borrowed.
We can expect the environmental cause will return to the foreground when the Covid-19 crisis has passed. In the meantime, reuse what you have, and try to store rather than throw out items for donation or recycling.
Talk to takeaway food outlets about options for using your own containers, and refuse disposable cutlery or napkins with deliveries. Use the time to upskill your coffee-making at home rather than buying it in a takeaway cup. And look for grocery suppliers offering more sustainable delivery packaging, such as cardboard boxes or biodegradable bags.
Above all, be vigilant about ways environmental protections such as plastic bag bans might be undermined during the pandemic, and voice your concerns to politicians.