Plastic pollution is a global problem that is growing exponentially due to an increase in the production of disposable plastic products. Many of these products are single-use items, which are used once and then tossed in the trash. These eventually end up in the environment, mostly in the ocean which causes a vast and detrimental impact on ocean wildlife and habitats. Recently the global coronavirus pandemic has added severity to the plastic pollution problem. A new kind of plastic, personal protective equipment (PPE) has been showing up in the oceans in recent months.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, PPE are being used at an unprecedented volume. Many sustainability and plastic pollution experts are raising questions about whether people are properly disposing of these materials. The real situation is less than optimistic. Millions of gloves and masks are being carelessly thrown away every single day. Wipes, masks, and gloves are ending up in the streets. These discarded items are destined for the oceans.
Impact on wildlife
PPE and facemasks are critical for fighting the pandemic. But these are not always disposed of properly. Environmentalists fear negative consequences from such practice for wildlife and the fight against plastic pollution.
Anastasia Miliou, a marine biologist and research director with the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation based in Greece talking on disposals of PPE said, “If they're thrown on the streets when it rains the gloves and masks will eventually end up in the sea.”
Once they get to the water, they pose a threat to marine biodiversity. It is known that when plastic is left in the water long enough and algae and bacteria grow on it, it smells like food to turtles. Furthermore, turtles and seabirds mistake the brightly coloured latex gloves for food.
Impact on climate change
While plastic pollution in the oceans has long become a serious concern, the contribution of plastic production and disposal to the changing climate has been largely hidden.
Plastics originate from fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases at every stage of their life cycle that are contributing to the warming of our world. Over time, plastics give off more and more gas.
Light (and to a lesser extent heat) are the primary catalysts for this gaseous release. This leads to an alarming feedback loop: as the climate changes, the planet gets hotter, the plastic gives off more methane, increasing the rate of climate change and the circle continues.
“Individuals should make an informed decision to use reusable PPE and dispose of the single used items properly”
A report by the Center for International Environmental Law, published in May, concluded that the impact of plastic production on the world's climate this year would equate to the output of 189 coal-fired power stations.
Furthermore, the oceans provide the largest natural carbon sink for greenhouse gases, having absorbed 30-50% of atmospheric CO2. Phytoplankton plays a critical role in taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water and sequestering it in deep ocean sinks. But microplastics that are generated from degeneration of plastics over time threaten plankton populations and seriously compromise the efforts to stop global warming.
Solution
Issues related to environment and climate change are not among the priority response actions in many countries. While one can think that these issues may not seem the most pressing during a global pandemic situation, the high risk of transferring virus through the incorrect or not at all disposal of PPE requires close attention and is directly linked with a safe environment.
Efforts to tackle Covid pollution can help us improve ocean health, tackle climate change, support biodiversity and build sustainable livelihoods. Some initiatives can be taken to solve the emerging situation.
Wearing reusable PPE: PPE made with a piece of clothing can be worn, washed and reused which will help prevent landfills from taking on all our waste.
Encouraging regular hand washing: The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that regular hand-washing offers more protection against catching Covid-19 than wearing rubber gloves while out in public.
Ensuring a proper waste management system: More trash cans can be a helpful solution to the PPE litter problem. Discarded items should be placed in a trash bin as soon as they are removed. Moreover, more instructions posted in public places which can clarify misinformation and provide tips on how to safely dispose of PPE.
To equip ourselves better and to properly manage the Covid waste, we need to ensure that these wastes, especially PPE, are disposed of properly and single used PPE are not used until it's necessary.
Individuals should make an informed decision to use reusable PPE and dispose of the single used items properly. Furthermore, proper waste management should look into dealing with waste sustainably; it should not be at the expense of others, especially the marine ecosystem.
Maria Mehrin is a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Urban and Regional Planning Department. Her research interest lies in Environmental Sustainability.
