I’m sure we all remember talking about how the environment and nature are flourishing in the early lockdowns of 2020. The air was clearer. You could see the Himalayas from miles away, animals were strolling the streets of Italy and the canals in Venice were cleaner. Most people view the lockdown as a boon for nature, however, the reality is not even close. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased usage of single-use face masks and gloves had environmental and climate consequences. Plastic makers, unlike most industries during COVID-19, are witnessing production rise despite the global economic crisis. So how exactly is the pandemic affecting the environment?

COVID impact on nature

The environment has had both positive and harmful effects on a local and global scale. Global lockdowns have radically altered energy consumption patterns. They have caused an economic crisis, but they have also resulted in a cleaner global environment on the upside. On the other hand, the widespread usage and production of PPE, as well as their disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic, increases the amount of plastic waste generated, posing environmental risks.

“Domestically for us, plastic has remained pretty strong". According to Joshua Baca, vice president of the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division, "demand has probably increased."

Every month, approximately 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are used and discarded around the world. Every month, over 200 billion facemasks and gloves are released into the environment. The burden of plastic polymer on the planet is increased as a result of a one-time usage of these surgical masks followed by their disposal during COVID-19.

Recent research has confirmed that medical face masks are possible sources of microplastic contamination in water systems. In the future, they will represent an environmental issue in the COVID-19 scenario. As a result of the present pandemic, the amount of plastic and medical waste generated has increased. As a result, a large number of non-biodegradable polymers, including PPE, are now widely used in various forms and purposes all over the world.

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic polymers

The difference between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Substances is that a substance that can be easily degraded naturally with the help of fungus and bacteria is a Biodegradable substance. A substance that cannot be easily degraded naturally and pollutes the environment is called non-Biodegradable.

You can see this difference in the example of a paper bag and a plastic bag. If you dump them, a few days later you will notice that the paper bag has disappeared. At the same time, plastic waste has accumulated in that place. Polymers that can be decomposed are done so by the action of microorganisms, these are known as Biodegradable polymers.

Microplastic contamination

Microplastics are little fragments of plastic with a length of less than 5 mm (0.2 inches) that are found in the environment as a result of plastic pollution. Microplastics can be found in a wide range of items, including cosmetics, synthetic garments, and plastic bags and bottles. Many of these products are easily disposed of in the environment. These exist even in personal protection equipment such as masks and face shields.

Over the years, billions of tonnes of plastic marine trash have accumulated in our world's oceans, seas, and coastal habitats as a result of human-mediated activities. Plastics in our seas are classified as nano plastics, microplastics (MPs), mesoplastics, and macroplastics, and can come from both land-based and marine sources.

As a result of the current coronavirus pandemic, there is a growing fear that discarded surgical masks, medical gowns, face shields, safety glasses, protective aprons, sanitizer containers, plastic shoes, and gloves may end up in our aquatic environments.

Oil crash and increase in plastic production

COVID, in conjunction with OPEC politics, has contributed to a worldwide oil price crisis. Decrease in travel, air, and land, has led to low demand and lower prices of oil. The main raw materials used to create plastic are oil and natural gas. The price discrepancy between alternate materials (like cellulose, seaweed) and virgin plastic, which has traditionally been the most cost-effective option to package things, has widened due to their all-time low cost.

To put it simply, Almost all plastic begins its life as a fossil fuel. Oil demand has been decreased as a result of the slowing economy. As a result, the cost of new plastic has decreased. It is currently incredibly profitable to package your items in newly created, low-cost virgin plastic to remain financially competitive in the marketplace. Increased reliance on plastic is yet again, a threat to the environment.

Online shopping

During the toughest periods of lockdown in several nations, most physical stores were shuttered, with the exception of those selling essential goods and services. Between March and September 2020, e-commerce revenue increased by 16 percent over the same period last year. In 2020, parcel delivery services were also at an all-time high. The environmental and climate implications of additional single-use plastic packaging for e-commerce are vast. This includes the waste resulting from its manufacturing and transportation (greenhouse gas and other emissions) as well as those resulting from the handling of the excess garbage, which is mostly incinerated.

So what exactly is the problem?

The phrase "enemy of the environment" now appears to be used to describe the word plastic. Our attitude toward plastic garbage is a source of concern. It is a part of the manufacturing process for a variety of items necessary for social progress and welfare. What we do with such plastic garbage is the problem. To eliminate the environmental hazard posed by plastic waste, particularly disposable medical waste, developing recycling and/or reusing alternative solutions as a sustainable management strategy is essential. Redesigning biodegradable and reusable PPE could be one of the options. Other than the use of biodegradable and reusable PPE, recycling plastic wastes should be prioritized to ensure the management strategy's long-term effectiveness.