Planet and Plastic: End Of The Love Story?
Covid's seen a massive increase in plastic waste. In some countries, six or seven times higher than before. So can the planet keep her love for her former favourite going?
The coronavirus pandemic's led to a huge increase in plastic waste, six or seven times higher in some countries. It's partly down to obvious things like the massive global demand for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). There are other pressures too, like lower oil prices, which help manufacturers make things more cheaply. For years the focus has been on trying to cut down how much we end up throwing away for landfill. The UK Plastics Pact - a group of businesses, organisations and governments - say they're focused on trying to cut down on plastic packaging and encourage new tech and recycling ideas for the future. Scientists are busy coming up with new ideas on what to do with plastic - it's even being tested as a building material. But after 2020 - and the possible effects Covid has had on that progress - what now for the relationship between Earth and her former favourite? Is it heading to the end - or can plastic find a future?
