Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on plastic surge and environmental effects

• Published in: Energy sources. Part A, Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects, 2021-03, Vol.ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Anderson, Anderson, Chandralingam, Rameshkumar, PraveenKumar, T R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; disposal; environmental pollution; medical waste; plastic waste
• ISSN: 1556-7036; 1556-7230
• DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2021.1900456

Plastics have set an indispensable place in the daily needs of everyone's life in the society. It is because of its availability and affordability too. Since it is more economical and reaches everyone easily, all industries have started to produce their products in plastics ranges from small pin to big containers and pipes. This paper depicts the environmental effects of anthropogenic plastic consumption particularly during COVID-19 and other impacts due to plastic pollution. There is no industry that does not use plastic. The use of plastic in the medical industry is highly advantageous. Especially in this pandemic COVID-19 situations where one's self hygiene is the most important factor; the need of plastic is completely indisputable. The number of medical things used by even general has been increased rapidly because of the COVID-19. However, the improper management of medical tools and devices such as gloves, masks, and personal protection cover worsen the condition of the infection rate and overall plastic stagnation across the world. To minimize the negative consequence of mismanagement of plastic things, serious concern should be given to the management of plastic waste and public awareness has to be increased about the proper use and disposal.