Abstract

This paper analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the world's quest for sustainability by focusing on the plastic industry. There is no doubt that plastic has molded society in many ways that make our lives easier and safer, but it has also created a global environmental and sustainability crisis. To curb our addiction to plastic, the world had been trying to move away from virgin plastic, but the pandemic has turned an enemy into a much-needed ally. 

We use a mixed-methods approach of surveys, empirical analysis, and literature review to answer a fundamental question: How can we leverage the advantages of plastic without contributing to the world’s environmental crisis? This dilemma poses a significant challenge but also opens an opportunity to address sustainability at a systemic level through circularity and the transition to low-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.

Download Full Paper [PDF]

References

Aguado, R., Olazar, M., San José, M. J., Gaisán, B., and Bilbao, J. (2002). “Wax Formation in the Pyrolysis of Polyolefins in a Conical Spouted Bed Reactor,” Energy & Fuels 16(6): 1429–1437. doi: 10.1021/ef020043w.

Akhtaruzzaman, M., Boubaker, S., Chiah, M., and Zhong, A. (2021). “COVID-19 and Oil Price Risk Exposure,” Finance Research Letters 42: 101882. doi:10.1016/j.frl.2020.101882.

Ali, S. S., Elsamahy, T., Koutra, E., Kornaros, M., El-Sheekh, M., Abdelkarim, E. A., et al. (2021). “Degradation of Conventional Plastic Wastes in the Environment: A Review on Current Status of Knowledge and Future Perspectives of Disposal.” Science of The Total Environment 771: 144719. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144719.

Amcor (2019). “2019 Sustainability Review,” November. https://assets.ctfassets.net/f7tuyt85vtoa/4MJVhRWWstldLyyNHt1dFY/93a8af747a3b66089efbbed118f42af7/Sustainability_Review_V11_AW_Digital.pdf.

Ammendolia, J., Saturno, J., Brooks, A. L., Jacobs, S., and Jambeck, J. R. (2021). “An Emerging Source of Plastic Pollution: Environmental Presence of Plastic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Debris Related to COVID-19 in a Metropolitan City,” Environmental Pollution 269: 116160. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116160.

Ansink, E., Wijk, L., and Zuidmeer, F. (2022). “No Clue about Bioplastics,” Ecological Economics 191: 107245. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107245.

Barabad, M. L. M., Jung, W., Versoza, M. E., Lee, Y.-i., Choi, K., and Park, D. (2018). “Characteristics of Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from the Combustion of Waste Vinyl,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(7): 1390. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15071390.

Barnes, D. K. A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. C., and Barlaz, M. (2009). “Accumulation and Fragmentation of Plastic Debris in Global Environments.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 364(1526): 1985–98. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0205.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). “Optimizing Supply of PPE and Other Equipment during Shortages,” February 11. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/general-optimization-strategies.html.  

Chaudhuri, S. (2020). “How Coronavirus Complicated the Quest for a Greener Plastic Bottle – WSJ,” The Wall Street Journal, June 24. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-coronavirus-complicated-the-quest-for-a-greener-plastic-bottle-11593005945.

Circular Innovation Council (2022). “Circular Economy,” January 31. https://rco.on.ca/circulareconomy/.

Clifford, T. (2020). “Hospital Supplier Owens & Minor Is Expanding Capacity to Meet Personal Protective Equipment Demands,” CNBC, March 28. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/hospital-supplier-owens-minor-expanding-capacityto-meet-ppe-demands.html.

Coates, G. W., and Getzler, Y. D. Y. L. (2020). “Chemical Recycling to Monomer for an Ideal, Circular Polymer Economy.” Nature Reviews Materials 5(7): 501–516. doi: 10.1038/s41578-020-0190-4.

Coelho, P. M., Corona, B., ten Klooster, R., and Worrell, E. (2020). “Sustainability of Reusable Packaging – Current Situation and Trends,” Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X 6: 100037. doi: 10.1016/j.rcrx.2020.100037.

Consumer Brands Association (2020). “Recycling Policy Platform: Achieving America’s Recycling Future.” https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/sustainability/recycling-policy-platform/.

Dauvergne, P. (2018). “Why Is the Global Governance of Plastic Failing the Oceans?,” Global Environmental Change 51: 22–31. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2018.05.002.

De-la-Torre, G. E., Rakib, M. R. J., Pizarro-Ortega, C. I., and Dioses-Salinas, D. C. (2021). “Occurrence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic along the Coast of Lima, Peru,” Science of The Total Environment 774: 145774. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145774.

Edwards, E. (2020). “How Are Goggles Made? (PPE for COVID-19/Coronavirus Response),” Thomas. https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/plant-facility-equipment/how-are-goggles-made.

Emadian, S. M., Onay, T. T., and Demirel, B. (2017). “Biodegradation of Bioplastics in Natural Environments,” Waste Management 59: 526–536. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.10.006.

Environmental Protection Agency (2015). “U.S. EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan,” October. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-03/documents/smm_strategic_plan_ october_2015.pdf.

European Bioplastics (2022). “Bioplastics,” January 31. https://www.europeanbioplastics.org/bioplastics/.

European Commission (2018). “A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.” https://www.europarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Eu-plasticsstrategy-brochure.pdf.

European Commission (2020). “Circular Economy Action Plan.” European Union, March. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/circular-economy/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf.

European Commission (2015). “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Closing the Loop – An EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy,” Brussels, February 12. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:8a8ef5e8-99a0-11e5-b3b7-01aa75ed71a1.0012.02/DOC_1&format=PDF.

Fletcher, C. (2020). “How Is Used PPE Disposed of during the Coronavirus Pandemic?,” Global Biodefense (blog), May 12. https://globalbiodefense.com/2020/05/12/how-is-used-ppe-disposed-of-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/.

Gautam, R., Bassi, A. S., Yanful, E. K., and Cullen, E. (2007). “Biodegradation of Automotive Waste Polyester Polyurethane Foam Using Pseudomonas Chlororaphis ATCC55729,” International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 60(4): 245–249. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2007.03.009.

Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., and Lavender Law, K. (2017). “Production, Use, and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made,” Science Advances 3(7). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700782.

Geyer, R., Kuczenski, B., Zink, T., and Henderson, A. (2016). “Common Misconceptions about Recycling,” Journal of Industrial Ecology 20(5): 1010–1017. doi: 10.1111/jiec.12355.

Gibbens, S. (2018). “What You Need to Know about Plant-Based Plastics,” National Geographic, November 15. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/are-bioplastics-made-from-plants-better-for-environment-ocean-plastic.

Grigore, M. E. (2017). “Methods of Recycling, Properties and Applications of Recycled Thermoplastic Polymers,” Recycling 2(4): 24. doi: 10.3390/recycling2040024.

Hahladakis, J. N., Velis, C. A., Weber, R., Iacovidou, E., and Purnell, P. (2018). “An Overview of Chemical Additives Present in Plastics: Migration, Release, Fate and Environmental Impact during Their Use, Disposal and Recycling,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 344: 179–199. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.014.

Hamilton, L. A., Feit, S., Muffett, C., Kelso, M., Malone Rubright, S., Bernhardt, C., et al. (2019). “Plastic and Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet,” Center for International Environmental Law, May. https://www.ciel.org/plasticandclimate/.

Hassan, I. A., Younis, A., Al Ghamdi, M. A., Almazroui, M., Basahi, J. M., El-Sheekh, M. M., et al. (2022). “Contamination of the Marine Environment in Egypt and Saudi Arabia with Personal Protective Equipment during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Short Focus,” Science of The Total Environment 810(March): 152046. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152046.

Hatti-Kaul, R., Nilsson, L. J., Zhang, B., Rehnberg, N., and Lundmark, S. (2020). “Designing Biobased Recyclable Polymers for Plastics,” Trends in Biotechnology 38(1): 50–67. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.04.011.

Henneberry, B. (2020). “How Surgical Masks Are Made, Tested and Used,” Thomas. https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/other/how-surgical-masks-are-made.

Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., and Kosior, E. (2009). “Plastics Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 364(1526): 2115–2126. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0311.

Howard, J., Liptak, K., and Valencia, N. (2020). “Reopening amid Coronavirus: CDC Drafts New Guidance for Organizations and Businesses,” CNN, April 30. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/health/coronavirus-usa-cdc-reopening-bnwellness/index.html.

IEA (2019). “Global CO2 Emissions in 2019.” https://www.iea.org/articles/global-co2-emissions-in-2019.

Jeswani, H., Krüger, C., Russ, M., Horlacher, M., Antony, F., Hann, S., et al. (2021). “Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Chemical Recycling via Pyrolysis of Mixed Plastic Waste in Comparison with Mechanical Recycling and Energy Recovery,” Science of The Total Environment 769: 144483. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144483.

Kawashima, N., Yagi, T., and Kojima, K. (2019). “How Do Bioplastics and Fossil-Based Plastics Play in a Circular Economy?,” Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 304(9): 1900383. doi: 10.1002/mame.201900383.

Leonard, G., and Mallos, N. (2020). “What We Know – and Don’t Know – about Plastics and the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Ocean Conservancy (blog), April 16. https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2020/04/16/know-dont-know-plasticscoronavirus-pandemic/.

Li, W. C., Tse, H. F., and Fok, L. (2016). “Plastic Waste in the Marine Environment: A Review of Sources, Occurrence and Effects,” Science of The Total Environment 566–567: 333–349. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.084.

Maiden, T. O., Patton, B. H., Balaster, M. M., and Schmoll, E. (2020). “Novel Coronavirus – How Employers Should Dispose of Personal Protective Equipment, EHS Law Insights,” ReedSmith, April 7. https://www.ehslawinsights.com/2020/04/novel-coronavirus-how-employers-should-dispose-of-personal-protectiveequipment/.

Material Economics (2018). “The Circular Economy: A Powerful Force for Climate Mitigation,” Stockholm, Sweden.

Mei, X., Hao, H., Sun, Y., Wang, X., and Zhou, Y. (2021). “Optimization of Medical Waste Recycling Network Considering Disposal Capacity Bottlenecks under a Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Outbreak,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-16027-2.

Meys, R., Frick, F., Westhues, S., Sternberg, A., Klankermayer, J., and Bardow, A. (2020). “Towards a Circular Economy for Plastic Packaging Wastes – The Environmental Potential of Chemical Recycling,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 162: 105010. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105010.

National Conference of State Legislatures (2021). “State Plastic Bag Legislation,” NCSL, February 8. https://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-naturalresources/plastic-bag-legislation.aspx.

Nova Institute (2020). “Press Release: The Global Bio-Based Polymer Market 2019 – A Revised View on a Turbulent and Growing Market,” January 27. http://nova-institute.eu/press/?id=164.

Nyga-Łukaszewska, H., and Aruga, K. (2020). “Energy Prices and COVID-Immunity: The Case of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices in the US and Japan,” Energies 13(23): 6300. doi: 10.3390/en13236300.

Parker, L. (2018). “National Skip the Straw Day – How to Reduce Straw Use and Plastic Pollution,” National Geographic, February 23. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/plastic-straws-ocean-trash-environment.

Paxton, V. (2010). “Medical Gloves – Types and Uses,” AllegroMedical, June 22. https://www.allegromedical.com/medical-glove-types-latex-vinyl-and-nitrileexam-and-surgical-gloves-buyers-guide.

Payne, J., McKeown, P., and Jones, M. (2019). “A Circular Economy Approach to Plastic Waste.” Polymer Degradation and Stability 165: 170–181. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2019.05.014.

Peskco, G. (2020). “Plastics: The Coronavirus Could Reset the Clock,” World Bank Blogs, April 7. https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/plastics-coronavirus-couldreset-clock.

Peters, A. (2019). “Will Compostable Packaging Ever Be Able to Solve Our Waste Problem?,” Fast Company, September 3. https://www.fastcompany.com/90393297/will-compostable-packaging-ever-be-able-to-solve-our-waste-problem.

Plastics Europe (2019). “Plastics – The Facts 2019,” October. https://plasticseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2019-Plastics-the-facts.pdf.

Plastics Industry Association (2017). “History of Plastics,” October 26. https://www.plasticsindustry.org/history-plastics.

Ragaert, K., Delva, L., and Van Geem, K. (2017). “Mechanical and Chemical Recycling of Solid Plastic Waste,” Waste Management 69: 24–58. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.07.044.

Rahimi, A., and García, J. M. (2017). “Chemical Recycling of Waste Plastics for New Materials Production,” Nature Reviews Chemistry 1(6): 1–11. doi: 10.1038/s41570-017-0046.

Rajput, H., Changotra, R., Rajput, P., Gautam, S., Gollakota, A. R. K., and Arora, A. S. (2021). “A Shock like No Other: Coronavirus Rattles Commodity Markets.” Environment, Development and Sustainability 23(5): 6564–6575. doi: 10.1007/s10668-020-00934-4.

Rillig, M. C. (2012). “Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil?” Environmental Science & Technology 46(12): 6453–54. doi: 10.1021/es302011r.

Romera-Castillo, C., Pinto, M., Langer, T. M., Álvarez-Salgado, X. A., and Herndl, G. J. (2018). “Dissolved Organic Carbon Leaching from Plastics Stimulates Microbial Activity in the Ocean,” Nature Communications 9(1): 1430. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03798-5.

Ryberg, M. W., Hauschild, M. Z., Wang, F., Averous-Monnery, S., and Laurent, A. (2019). “Global Environmental Losses of Plastics across Their Value Chains,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 151: 104459. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104459.

Schwarz, A. E., Ligthart, T. N., Boukris, E., and van Harmelen, T. (2019). “Sources, Transport, and Accumulation of Different Types of Plastic Litter in Aquatic Environments: A Review Study,” Marine Pollution Bulletin 143: 92–100. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.029.

Sharma, H. B., Vanapalli, K. R., Cheela, V. R. S., Ranjan, V. P., Jaglan, A. K., Dubey, B., et al. (2020). “Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations for Effective Solid Waste Management during and Post COVID-19 Pandemic,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 162: 105052. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105052.

Shen, M., Song, B., Zeng, G., Zhang, Y., Huang, W., Wen, X., et al. (2020). “Are Biodegradable Plastics a Promising Solution to Solve the Global Plastic Pollution?,” Environmental Pollution 263: 114469. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114469.

Singh, N., Tang, Y., and Ogunseitan, O. A. (2020). “Environmentally Sustainable Management of Used Personal Protective Equipment,” Environmental Science & Technology 54(14): 8500–8502. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03022.

Sumida, N. (2021). “How 12 Months of the Coronavirus Pandemic Disrupted US Waste and Recycling Service,” Waste Dive, March 15. https://www.wastedive.com/news/coronavirus-us-waste-recycling-disruption-tracker/574324/.

Systemiq and Pew Charitable Trust (2020). “Breaking the Plastic Wave,” https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2020/07/breakingtheplasticwave_report.pdf.

Tenenbaum, L. (2020). “The Amount of Plastic Waste Is Surging Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Forbes, April 25. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauratenenbaum/2020/04/25/plastic-waste-during-the-time-of-covid-19/.

Thompson, R. C., Moore, C. J., vom Saal, F. S., and Swan, S. H. (2009). “Plastics, the Environment and Human Health: Current Consensus and Future Trends,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 364(1526): 2153–2166. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0053.

Tiseo, I. (2021). “Global Plastic Production 1950–2020,” Statista, September 20. https://www.statista.com/statistics/282732/global-production-of-plastics-since-1950/.

United Nations (2015). “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda.

United Nations (2018). “Our Planet Is Drowning in Plastic Pollution. This World Environment Day, It’s Time for a Change.” https://www.unep.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/.

United Nations (2019). “Global Sustainable Development Report 2019: The Future Is Now – Science for Achieving Sustainable Development.” https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/24797GSDR_report_2019.pdf.

van den Oever, M., Molenveld, K., van der Zee, M., and Bos, H. (2017). “Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics : Facts and Figures: Focus on Food Packaging in the Netherlands,” Wageningen Food & Biobased Research. doi: 10.18174/408350.

Versalis S.p.A. (2021). “Circular Economy.” https://versalis.eni.com/.

Wagner, M., Scherer, C., Alvarez-Muñoz, D., Brennholt, N., Bourrain, X., Buchinger, S., et al. (2014). “Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems: What We Know and What We Need to Know,” Environmental Sciences Europe 26(1): 12. doi: 10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7.

Wautelet, T. (2018). “Exploring the Role of Independent Retailers in the Circular Economy: A Case Study Approach,” European University for Economics and Management. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.17085.15847.

World Economic Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). “The New Plastics Economy – Catalysing Action.” https://emf.thirdlight.com/link/u3k3oq221d37-h2ohow/@/preview/1?o.

World Economic Forum, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and McKinsey & Company (2016). “The New Plastics Economy – Rethinking the Future of Plastics,” https://emf.thirdlight.com/link/faarmdpz93ds-5vmvdf/@/preview/1?o.

World Health Organization (2020). “Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment Endangering Health Workers Worldwide,” March 3. https://www.who.int/news/item/03-03-2020-shortage-of-personal-protective-equipment-endangering-healthworkers-worldwide.

Worrell, E., Allwood, J., and Gutowski, T. (2016). “The Role of Material Efficiency in Environmental Stewardship,” Annual Review of Environment and Resources 41(1): 575–598. doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-110615-085737.

Zhang, K., Hamidian, A. H., Tubić, A., Zhang, Y., Fang, J. K. H., Wu, C., et al. (2021). “Understanding Plastic Degradation and Microplastic Formation in the Environment: A Review,” Environmental Pollution 274: 116554. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116554.