Single-Use Plastic Waste Surges During COVID-19 Pandemic

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The importance of single-use, sanitary products for use has never been so emphasized as during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the soaring production of PPE (personal protective equipment) to the increased use of single-use utensils in restaurants, these products have helped Americans quickly adjust to life during this disease in the safest way possible. 

However, as the pandemic drags into the end of the year, an unforeseen consequence of these measures is how much single-use waste has been thrown away and the overwhelming effects it is bound to have on the country’s waste management systems. 

People have been more likely to order food for pickup or delivery during the pandemic, which typically comes heavily packaged. In many states, plastic bag bans and fees have been rolled back for the pandemic as a way to remove penalties for restaurants trying to stay afloat during these challenging times. As temperatures rapidly drop in Chicago and indoor dining is limited for the time being. This means that residents will be relying exclusively on takeout options. However, some restaurant chains have taken initiative to still be environmentally-conscious with the amount of waste they produce. 

Colectivo Coffee is a popular spot in downtown Evanston, where Northwestern students gather to study with a warm beverage from the expansive menu. Ramie Camarena, Colectivo’s PR Director, reflected on the waste generation the shop has seen since Covid restrictions began. 

“COVID has unfortunately forced our hand in terms of how we do business and our pursuit of some of our sustainability initiatives,” Camarena said. “But it will undoubtedly create new opportunities and ways of thinking as we move forward to the other side of the pandemic.”

Since its conception, Colectivo has had a commitment to sustainable practices wherever possible. They continue to use exclusively paper straws, cardboard containers, and PLA plastics in their takeaway containers.  However, in order to promote safety, the coffee chain has stopped allowing customers to bring their own travel mugs and has to use disposable dishes for all purposes. 

Burger King, another Northwestern student favorite, has also found ways to promote the safety of customers in an environmentally-conscious way. The restaurant chain announced a partnership with TerraCycle’s new project named Loop. Starting next year, Burger King will give customers the option of receiving their burgers or drinks in a reusable container for a small fee. On their next visit, they can get that fee refunded by returning the containers. This system would allow customers access to consistently sterile and safe containers while also dramatically reducing the amount of plastic waste that would otherwise be generated from takeout. 

A relatively new source of plastic waste that stems from the pandemic is the widespread use of PPE. While once primarily used by healthcare workers, disposable face masks and gloves have quickly become a staple for the general public. In February, the production of single-use masks soared to roughly 12 times its usual value. In March, the WHO called for a 40% increase in the manufacturing of PPE in order to meet the global demand. Based on the patterns observed in Wuhan, China, the US could easily generate a year’s worth of waste from medical equipment in just 2 months. Fortunately, reusable cloth masks have been rising in popularity, and a number of stores such as Old Navy and Target have begun recycling leftover fabric into masks. It has become common practice to style these masks like any other accessory. Reusable masks are also more protective than disposable masks by about 15%.

At Northwestern, it is a mandate for upperclassmen planning to be on or around campus to be tested for COVID-19 weekly. At the Jacobs Center, where asymptomatic testing is held, all components of the test are packaged in plastic, and eventually disposed of for safety reasons. The university has provided upwards of 51,000 tests since August 15, leading to an alarming amount of plastic waste. With an increased demand for testing, Tempus recently began packaging tests in smaller bags, which would produce less plastic waste. While this is a beneficial step, the high volume of daily testing still corresponds with a relatively high volume of plastic waste. Easily accessible COVID-19 testing has led to the low positivity rate on campus this Fall, but this waste is not recyclable and it’s likely to end up polluting the environment or sit in a landfill for hundreds of years.  

It is clear that there has been a rise in waste production as restrictions increase, and that waste mismanagement is rising due to manpower shortages. According to a study published in Science Magazine in June, Wuhan has experienced a roughly 518% increase in medical waste since the pandemic, and the US appears to be on a similar trajectory. Less sustainable waste management options like landfills and incineration are being utilized more as there is less manpower available for more complex options like recycling.  

With restrictions likely for the foreseeable future, companies will need to start getting creative with how they balance the use of safe and sterile equipment and ecologically friendly practices. Although individual companies appear to be making efforts to reduce their impact, this still may not be sufficient enough to curb the exponential growth of waste during the pandemic. Safety is of the highest priority during this time, meaning that many sustainable practices may need to be put on pause for the foreseeable future in favor of single-use products.