The COVID-19 pandemic and single-use plastic waste in households: A preliminary study

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 793; p. 148571
• Main Authors: Leal Filho, Walter, Salvia, Amanda Lange, Minhas, Aprajita, Paço, Arminda, Dias-Ferreira, Celia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-11-2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; Household waste; Humans; Pandemics; Plastic pollution; Plastics; Short Communication; Waste generation; Waste Management; COVID-19; Waste management; Household waste; Waste generation; Plastic pollution
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148571

The Coronavirus pandemic promoted an unprecedented change in consumption habits, especially as lockdowns contributed to the increase in online shopping and in delivery services. One of the consequences is the substantial amounts of plastic waste produced, which can undermine the efforts to reduce plastic pollution. In this context, this commentary explores, as a preliminary study, the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic in relation to single-use plastic waste in households by means of an international survey with 202 participants distributed over 41 countries worldwide.
[Display omitted]
•The results of a worldwide survey with 202 respondents from 41 countries are presented.•The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased consumption of single-use plastics.•The main reasons seem to be associated with food packaging and of plastic bags.•The results indicate promising opportunities for the packaging industry.