Covid-19 and the spike in plastic usage
It all dated back to December of 2019 where a “mysterious” virus was first detected and began to spread worldwide. It was later named as Covid-19 and due to how contagious it was, the world had to resort to self-isolation as a means of defense. Lockdown naturally brought the demand for petroleum to fall. At the same time, another factor had soared high. The manufacture of single-use masks increased by 12 times than it usually does. Disposable waste such as gloves, face shield and more preventory aids went through a massive spurt. Take-outs and delivered-home goods had contributed to the dominant increase of disposable waste. Albeit the fact that these plastic waste played a role to protect us from the virus did not falter.
A man wearing PPE(Personal Protective Equipment)
Where we draw the line will undeniably keep us safe and also diminish the amount of pollution. If that was the case, why don't we just ban usage of plastic? Realistically speaking, as we are still in the middle of the pandemic, forbidding plastic or single-waste object consumption is impossible to achieve. An evidence to the statement is PPE, otherwise known as Personal Protective Equipment. PPE is worn to decrease and limit exposure towards chemical, radiological, physical, electrical or other workplace hazards. Although PPE is often required during pandemics, it is important for us to consider several aspects on PPE usage guide. When to use PPE, how do you properly wear it, maintenance and also disposal method, and lastly PPE program which include training, we should be aware of these clauses.
Before the prevention methods are listed, we need to be aware of what these waste is costing us. The amount of unmanaged plastic waste has piled up and shows no sign of decelerating. This could lead to a severe environmental crisis in the future. The lack of awareness on this issue itself was disappointing. Approximately 20% of research addressed the harmful effect of waste during pandemic season. Plastic waste is littering the streets, clogging up drains, burning inefficiently and thus leading to our health deteriorating as the air itself is detrimental. Due to hygiene reasons, stores have resorted to one-time plastic for packaging. Coastal territories are most likely to be affected by recklessly thrown waste. Marine creatures have suffered and some of them are at the brink of extinction.
Dead trees near Norilsk, Russia, which is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The cause of this was Acid Rain.
A young cuvier beaked whale was discovered on the shore and inside its belly was 90 pounds of plastic waste. The same will happen to humans albeit instead of plastics in our body, we will be more susceptible to air-borne ailment. Our lungs would slowly give away and the earth would lose all of its bountiful biodiversity. Climate change is real, it is an issue that we need to shed a light on. The earth’s temperature had risen and risen bit by bit. Glaciers have melted away and people all over the world have experienced the extreme weather and consequences of so. Flood, drought, typhoons, storms, acid rain, these are only a few of them. At this rate, plastic would overtake the planet.
How exactly can we bring forth change? The simplest method we are all aware of but neglect is recycling waste. Companies should increase the movement of recycling their own waste. Governments as well should incorporate strict regulations when it comes to plastic and littering. Here are however several tips you can practise to help the environment:
Look for alternatives such as eco-friendly products.
Reduce the amount of food waste produce
Wear a reusable mask! Unlike places like hospitals which do require a one-time use mask, when in general public, it is advisable to wear a reusable mask.
Say no to balloons despite how gorgeous they look.
Sort the waste into recyclable and non.
The 3Rs; reuse, recycle and reduce
The little effort matters despite no major changes having occurred. Above all, spreading awareness is a much appreciated and an efficient way to recruit more people as we paved the way to a greener earth.
SOURCES:
https://marinsanitaryservice.com/tips-for-reducing-waste-during-the-pandemic/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/whale-dies-88-pounds-plastic-philippines
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6509/1314
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7430241/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021004485
https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment
IMAGES:
Putting on and Removing Personal Protective Equipment [NEJM]
Acid Rain: Causes, Effects and Solutions [Live Science]