Five ways the coronavirus crisis has waved in a new era of single-use plastic

Written by Hazel for Surf Actionism

A global pandemic, monumental miscommunications and cheap fuel – welcome to the new world, where single-use plastic is set for a major comeback.

It’s a war that’s been waging for decades but, just when world governments were finally starting to hear anti-plastic campaigners for the first time, the case has been suddenly dropped amid the chaos of the catastrophic coronavirus pandemic.

Now, years of progress have been swept aside, not based on science, but instead on a tactical bid to lull the people into a false sense of security – and never mind the studies which show the virus will survive on plastics for far longer than other materials.

Here, we’ve summed up five key ways coronavirus has allowed single-use plastic to weave its way back into the global community:

1.     Refillable cups

Hot on the heels of re-opening, major coffee chain Starbucks announced it would be banning the use of refill cups until further notice – in what they say is a bid to curb spreading the virus within its establishments. They’re not the only chain doing it, either.

2.     Oil prices

With less people commuting to work or taking trips, oil prices plummeted around the world.

But, because they’re intrinsically linked to costs of plastic, recycling firms are now facing dire futures as they struggle to remain cost competitive with the likes of virgin polymer.

3.     Supermarket changes

Supermarkets have seemingly led the charge when it comes to safe shopping. From closing deli and meat counters to minimise human contact, to an increasing demand from shoppers for plastic-wrapped food, this is perhaps one of the biggest areas to see plastic growth.

4.     Delays to legal action

Many countries have now backtracked on proposed or planned legislation around single-use plastic from Scotland to the US, which has faced huge pressure from plastic lobbyists to delay things like planned plastic bag bans in some states, including New York.

5.     Takeaway culture

As cafes, restaurants and takeaways reopen around the world, single-use plastic cutlery and take-away packaging is being cited as a way to implement safety measurements for customers, despite little evidence to support this theory.

So, what next?

Regardless of these changes, the plastics battle isn’t lost yet – stay up-to-date with the latest campaigns in our surf community and find out how you can get involved here.