Hindawi

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

Volume 2022, Article ID 1066350, 17 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1066350

Review Article
COVID-19: An Accelerator for Global Plastic Consumption and
Its Implications

Moharana Choudhury ,1,2 Subhrajeet Sahoo ,3 Palas Samanta ,4 Arushi Tiwari ,5

Alavya Tiwari ,6 Utkarsh Chadha ,7,8 Preetam Bhardwaj ,9 Abhishek Nalluri ,10
Tolera Kuma Eticha ,11 and Arghya Chakravorty 9,12,13
1
Environmental Research and Management Division, Voice of Environment (VoE), Guwahati, 781034 Assam, India
2
Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
3
Centre for Life Sciences, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102, India
4
Department of Environmental Science, Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, University of North Bengal, Dhupguri, West Bengal, India
5
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
6
School of Chemical Engineering (SCHEME), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
7
School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
8
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering, School of Graduate Studies,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2Z9
9
Centre of Nanotechnology Research, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
10
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
11
Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
12
School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
13
Research and Development Action Wing, Baranagar Baghajatin Social Welfare Organisation, Kolkata 700036, India

Correspondence should be addressed to Abhishek Nalluri; [email protected],

Tolera Kuma Eticha; [email protected], and Arghya Chakravorty; [email protected]

Received 20 April 2022; Revised 27 July 2022; Accepted 4 September 2022; Published 7 October 2022

Academic Editor: Venkatramanan Senapathi

Copyright © 2022 Moharana Choudhury et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.

Plastic has been ingrained in our society. Repercussions on the usage of nonbiodegradable plastics and their problems have been
recently realized. Despite its detrimental environmental impact, the COVID-19 epidemic has compelled worldwide citizens to
increase their plastic use due to affordability and availability. The volume of hospital solid waste, particularly plastics, is
overgrowing due to an unexpected increase in medical waste, culminating in the global waste management catastrophe.
Henceforth, adopting good waste management practices along with appropriate technologies and viewing the current issue
from a fresh perspective would be an opportunity in this current scenario. Accordingly, this review study will focus on the
plastic waste scenario before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. This review also disseminates alternative disposal options
and recommends practical solutions to lessen human reliance on traditional plastics. Further, the responsibilities of various
legislative and regulatory authorities at the local, regional, and worldwide levels are addressed.

1. Introduction shortcomings of materials found in nature. Plastics are poly-

meric chains consisting of monomers when joined in a repeat-
Plastics are versatile, lightweight materials that can be proc- ing pattern, leading to the formation of plastics. Fossil sources
essed using various manufacturing techniques with sizable are converted into these macromolecules through various
market potential. It has been developed to overcome the methods, including polymerization, polycondensation, and
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
2 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

polyaddition. Plastics can be classified into polymers of two leads to a reduction in the use of plastic bags [12] along with
categories: thermosets and thermoplastics. Polyethylene tere- an increase in the use of reusable bags [13]. However, while a
phthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), low-density polyethylene ban on plastics has been linked to a reduction in plastic sacks
(LDPE), polypropylene (PE), high-density polyethylene in Portugal [14], its effectiveness in South Africa is limited
(HDPE), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polycarbonate, polyvi- [15]. Although Bangladesh and some regions of India have
nyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene banned the use of plastic. These are ineffective and fre-
(PP), polyethylene per (PHA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates quently disregarded in these countries [12, 16]. According
are some of the most commonly used thermoplastics. It is pos- to a recent report, south asian partners prefer to convert
sible to melt and process thermoplastics indefinitely without waste into usable energy over other methods of handling
causing any chemical changes to the plastic material. It can trash [17].
sometimes be reshaped, reheated, and frozen without losing Mutha et al. [18] investigated the plastics material fore-
shape. At the same time, thermosets are types of plastic that casts for India in 2006. They claim that between 2000 and
undergo a synthetic irreversible transformation upon heating, 2030, total plastic consumption will increase by a factor of
resulting in a change in the structural orientation of the atoms. six, and that the calculated weighted average lifetime of plas-
Once they have been warmed and shaped, these plastics can- tic products will be nearly eight years. According to current
not be resoftened or improved. Thermosets include phenolic reusing rates, the percentage of reusing is expected to decline
resins, polyurethane (PUR), silicon, vinyl ester, acrylic resins, from 47 percent to 35 percent by 2030. By 2030, total gar-
epoxy resins, and ureaformaldehyde (UF) resins. The inherent bage accessible for removal (excluding reuse) is predicted
properties of plastic, such as low density, optical tunability, to have increased by at least tenfold from its current level
chemical inertness, reliability, durability, and ease of produc- of 1.3 million tonnes. According to the findings, India needs
tion [1, 2], have made it a viable alternative to traditional a better waste management framework and administrative
materials such as metal, ceramics, and wood. control from the government and industry [18]. Bhuyar
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), et al. [19] investigated the ingestion of water bottles and
single-use plastics are any disposable plastic designed to be plastic waste while traveling and the amount of plastic waste
used just once, such as plastic bags. Single-use plastics are produced due to Nagpur railway station passengers’ throw-
the most commonly used in packaging (approximately away culture. According to the study, the average amount
50%), and this includes food packaging, bottles, grocery of plastic waste per person due to face mask use is 4 grams
bags, containers, straws, cups, and cutlery, according to the [20]. Unauthorized cloth pickers make a living by collecting
Environmental Defence Fund [2]. Plastic drinking bottles, low-value items from tracks and stages, such as drinking and
food wrappers, cigarette butts, plastic packs, stirrers, straws, soda pop jugs. The investigation concludes that a complete
and numerous forms of plastic bags and containers have all redesign of the waste management framework by rail route
been designated as major environmental polluters by the experts is required [19]. The ubiquitous existence of these
UNEP [3]. Single-use plastics’ most commonly used poly- elements worldwide demonstrates that they could consider-
mers include LDPE, HDPE, PET, PS, EPS, and PP. LDPE ably influence wildlife, ecosystems, the economy, and even-
and HDPE are the most frequent polymers used for single- tually, human health [21]. This study has highlighted the
use plastics (Table 1). current state-of-the-art plastic waste before and during the
Plastic bottles are purchased at around 1,000,000 per COVID-19 epidemic and the current scenario (Table 2).
minute [3]. The consumption of plastic bags in the United Additionally, this review article will give a quick outline of
States is estimated to be 4 trillion bags annually on average. the various strategies for managing plastic garbage.
In the most recent estimates, approximately one percent of
plastic bags have been returned to the manufacturer for 2. Plastic Material Composition and Types
recycling [4]. A significant chunk of the 1,000,000 straws is
consumed daily [5]. Straws are being phased out as a fashion Most plastics contain binders, colors, plasticizers, fillers, and
accessory. Approximately 500 billion disposable cups are other additives. The binder determines the significant char-
used yearly [6]. Despite their environmental benefits, acteristics of plastic. Synthetic or natural binders may be
single-use plastics are routinely thrown rather than recycled used, such as casein, milk protein, or cellulose derivatives.
[7]. Compared to regularly putting one waste vehicle’s worth However, synthetic resins make up the majority of the
of plastic (32 percent of the total 78 million tons) into the binders. It is also known as an ethylene polymer with the
sea, what could be more damaging? By 2030, this rate is pre- structural and empirical formulas, CH2 = CH2 and (–CH2–
dicted to increase to two every minute; by 2050, it will reach CH2–)n, respectively, synthesized at high temperatures and
four per minute [8]. More plastic will enter the oceans than pressures to get desired products. Alkali, water, acids, and
fish in the coming decades. most organic solvents are all resistant to polyethylene [22].
Experts worldwide have come up with various measures The physical and chemical features of thermoplastics and
for reducing plastic packaging use, including demands, thermosets distinguish them.
roundabout fees, and even straight-up boycotting [9]. Plastic
packaging bans are more prevalent in Africa and Asia, while 2.1. Thermoplastics. Thermoplastics can be melted, shaped,
Europeans are limited to just supporting the proposal. and resolidified using heat. They may be molded and hard-
Although the research is inconsistent, it appears that a boy- ened repeatedly. This attribute makes thermoplastic
cott or tax on plastic bags alters consumer behavior [10, 11], mechanically recyclable, an excellent feature to reduce waste.
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 3

Table 1: List of polymers used for the production of single-use plastics.

Types of Polymers Applications

LDPE Trays, containers, bags, food packaging film
HDPE Freezer bags, milk/shampoo bottles, ice cream containers
Various containers for water and other beverages, cleaning fluid dispensing containers,
PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
and biscuit trays are available
PS (polystyrene) Cutlery, cups, and plates
Cups for tea and coffee, food packaging, and protective packaging for fragile objects are
EPS (expanded polystyrene)
all examples of what we do
PP (polypropylene) Microwave dishes, bottle caps, potato chip bags, and ice cream tubs

Table 2: “Reported COVID-19 cases, deaths, and estimated total plastic waste generation by region, measured in tonnes” [adapted with
permission (under CC.BY. 4.0) from [20]; Elsevier].

Estimated Estimated
Total Total Facemask Average Estimated daily plastic waste plastic waste
Region Populationa COVID- COVID-19 acceptance rate by facemask/ facemask generated generated
19 casesb deatbsb population (%)c capita/day disposed per day
(tonnes)
(tonnes)
Africa 1,340,598,147 212,271 5,718 70 1 411,814,854 100,544,861 275,465
Asia 4,641,054,775 1,470,640 37,222 80 1 1,875,181,681 348,079,108 953,641
Europe 747,636,026 2,149,248 181,138 80 1 445,022,934 56,072,702 153,623
South
653,952,454 1,267,858 54,648 75 1 380,414,703 49,046,434 134,373
America
North
368,869,647 2,361,458 140,399 80 1 244,335,150 27,665,223 75,795
America
Oceania 42,677,813 8,896 124 75 1 21,682,379 3,200,836 8,769
Total 3,378,451,702 584,609,165 1,601,666

Thermoplastics are classified based on their structural orga- tion). Organochlorine produces the most PVC and is under
nization, such as chemical bonding, as well as their level of regulatory and scientific attention because of its negative
characteristics and functionality. PET, or polyethylene tere- effects on human health. The majority of nonchlorinated
phthalate, is a form of thermoplastic that has been made plastic wastes have a greater negative impact on the environ-
from fossil fuels since 1940. PET has developed for industrial ment than plastic garbage [24]. Vinyl synthesis, production
use, yet a substantial amount of it still finds up in the envi- of toxic compounds, and the excessive use of energy and
ronment. According to a study published in 2016, the Ideo- resources at various stages of the manufacturing process col-
nella sakaiensis bacteria can dissolve PET in order to use it lectively have severe environmental repercussions.
as their only carbon source as well as degrade them into its Both tubular methods and stirred autoclaving can be
precursors. This type of enzyme-assisted catabolic response used to produce (low-density polyethylene) LDPE. LDPE
makes them more bioavailable. Following this, several pro- has translucent and semirigid subunits (long chain), unlike
cesses such as recycling, breakdown technologies, and biore- HDPE, which is heavily branched with short- and long-
mediation methods are used to treat plastic waste for the chain monomers. To produce LDPE, free radical polymeri-
benefit of everyone involved, including the environment [22]. zation occurs at high temperatures and pressures (80–
300°C). Short and long branches and subbranches of up to
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is an ethylene-based 40,000 carbon atoms can be found in this polymer. Tubular
thermoplastic polymer. It is also known as polyethylene or reactors are recently gaining higher importance than
alkaline. Polyethylene is created by polymerizing identical autoclaving because of their higher ethylene transformation
ethylene molecules. Polyethylene is a structurally ordered rate [22, 24].
carbon and hydrogen-based unsaturated organic alkene.
When compared to other thermoplastics, HDPE is a low- 2.2. Thermosets. These are called as thermosetting or ther-
cost thermoplastic that has a linear structure and a minimal moset plastics. To create a three-dimensional link, polymers
degree of branching. Low pressure (10–80 bar) and mini- undergo heat treatments that result in a series of physical
mum (70–300°C) are used to create it and used for diverse and chemical changes. Even though it is impossible to remelt
applications [23]. Chlorine gas is most commonly used in or reassemble the thermoset molecules, at a physical state,
the manufacturing of PVC. 16 million tonnes of chlorine they may be transformed into numerous materials with spe-
are used in daily human activities (40% of annual produc- cific physical and chemical properties, as demonstrated by
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
4 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

MPs

Rainfall and wind Atmospheric deposition

MPs

MPs

MPs MPs
MPs
MPs MPs

Soil erosion
MPs
MPs
Effluent discharge MPs
MPs

MPs MPs
MPs Surface runoff Bioturbation and tillage activities
MPs
MPs
MPs
MPs
MPs

Food chain

MPs
Compost
Long distance
MPs MPs
Short distance Bioturbation and tillage activities

Figure 1: Circulation of microplastics in soil, water, and atmosphere [adapted with permission from [34]; Elsevier].

their ability to change from low viscosity liquids to solids a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from
that melt at a high temperature. Thermosets can be used in 2020 to 2027.
various ways; thanks to multiple additives that help them The plastic market is projected to grow due to increasing
work better [22]. Low viscosity and a variety of additives plastic use in a variety of industries such as healthcare and
allow thermosetting monomers to be utilized in diverse packaging. Packaging industries are the leading consumers
applications and make it easier for the user to change and of plastic, accounting for about 36.5% of the total usage
customize the product. Organic monomers such as carba- [27], mainly due to its advantages like chemical/thermal
mate (urethane) are polymerized together to create polyure- resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and low cost. A
thanes. They have the same properties as thermoset wide range of materials, including containers and geomem-
polyurethanes, but they are easier to work with [25]. In addi- branes benefit from these characteristics. PP, PE, PVC,
tion to its adaptability, polyurethane’s physical and chemical PET, and PS are some of the widely manufactured plastics.
qualities allow it to be employed in various applications, PE and PET are two of the most common plastics found in
such as in coatings, foams, and adhesives. Polyurethanes, the waste streams [27]. Polyethylene is available in a variety
like other polymers, utilize petrochemicals as a base or as a of densities, namely, exceptionally low density (XLDPE), low
subingredient [26]. linear density (LLDPE), high density (HDPE), and low den-
sity (LDPE) [27]. As a result of their one-time use, plastic
trash is generated. Large volumes of plastic garbage are gen-
3. Plastic Waste Scenario before COVID-19 erated every day as a result of human activities such as pro-
duction and post-consumer scrap, which accounts for the
Plastics have taken on the role of modern workhorse mate- majority of plastic waste [27].
rials in this era of modern technology. Since the 1950s, plas- The most frequent sort of plastic waste is thermoplastic,
tics manufacturing has been steadily growing due to an ever- mainly postconsumer. The amount of solid plastic trash gen-
growing human population [27]. According to the Plastics erated increases, but only a fraction of it is recycled. Accord-
Europe Federation, more than 311 million tonnes of long- ing to estimates, just 7% of the several tonnes of plastic
term degradability plastic were produced in 2014, up from garbage generated each year is recycled, 8% is burnt, and
299 million tonnes in 2013 [28]. 85% of plastic is produced the rest is dumped [29]. Massive amounts of plastic waste
in the United States, Europe, and Asia, according to esti- have become a severe threat to the environment’s long-
mates. In the next 20 years, this figure will increase to 600 term viability. Every year, around 300 million metric tonnes
million tonnes [27]). According to Grand View Research, of plastic trash is generated [30]. At 42 million metric
it is predicted that the global plastic market will develop at tonnes, or 13.1% of total waste, the United States produced
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 5

Table 3: Country-wise plastic consumption and wastage containment.

Year Country Statistics on plastic waste generation Applied measures to contain the waste Reference
As per the data released by World Health
Organization (WHO), the requirement for medical Various countries came up with unique strategies to
Worldwide
2020 masks, gloves, and goggles were around 89 million, curb the growth of excessive plastic waste [1]
scenario
76 million, and 1.6 million per month during the generation.
pandemic.
With suitable technological advancement, municipal
solid waste incineration facilities have been
The medical waste disposal on a national level as of developed along with a robust epidemic prevention
2020 China January 2020 was 1164 t/d which gradually increased management system; the incinerated fly ash is [2]
to 6066.8 t/d, which is an alarming rate. managed as per the “Standard for Pollution Control
on the Landfill Site of Municipal solid waste”
(GB16889).
Even before the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, Japan
With the increase in several home deliveries during
was dealing with issues like a trade ban on plastic
the lockdown, experts designed a prototype for a
waste from neighboring countries and population
multibenefits mobility system that offers multiple
decline. As a result, waste management and
benefits under one service. The benefits include
2020 Japan treatment also became an unusual complication. [3]
transportation of goods and self-driving through
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for
either image recognition, GPS location information,
testing kits, disposable masks, etc., raised. As a result,
or remote control. This prototype can also be
the management of waste became even more
considered a ‘moving trash bin.’
complicated.
Compared to the pre-COVID-19 situation, in India, For developing countries like India, solid waste can
the medical waste generated from hospitals, medical be conveniently handled through fundamental
institutions, quarantine wards, and other processes like incineration or landfilling. Plastic and
2021 India departments was six times more, with more or less healthcare wastes from medical institutions are [4]
517 tonnes of biomedical waste generated per day, pretreated through autoclaving and then
including IV bags, surgical masks, and single use conveniently disposed of in 1-2 meters deep burial
gloves. pits in sanitary landfills.

the most plastic waste in 2016. In third place came India gloves were projected to decompose in less than a week
with 26 metric tonnes of solid trash, China with 22 million [27, 33]. Single-use plastics have been a considerable advan-
metric tonnes, and the EU-28 countries with 30 million met- tage in the battle against COVID-19. Many countries have
ric tonnes of solid garbage, accounting for 11.7% of total found that increased use of reusable shopping bags and cof-
solid waste [31]. When it comes to disposing of this garbage, fee cups has reduced the virus transmission [27].
the land is a significant consideration. So much plastic rub- Countries with high COVID-19 cases are facing difficult
bish has been poured into the oceans that it has threatened time to manage the massive amount of hospital waste they
the aquatic ecosystems’ ecology, economy, and beauty [27, generate. According to statistics gathered by Jordan’s King
29]. Almost 80% of the plastic waste found in the ocean Abdullah University Hospital, medical waste produced is
comes from Asia [27, 32]. Plastic usage is undoubtedly ten times higher than before the pandemic. According to
harmful to both the people and the environment. Hence- calculations, about 650 kg of medical waste is generated
forth, many countries are minimizing plastic consumption every day for 95 COVID-19 patients [27, 35]. Everyone,
by switching single-use plastics with paper-based packaging especially front-line employees and medical personnel, must
even before the COVID-19 outbreak. wear adequate PPE because everyone requires personal pro-
tective equipment to avoid disease transmission. To safe-
4. Plastic Waste Scenario during the COVID-19 guard people all around world, an estimated 65 billion
gloves and 129 billion face masks would be required each
Plastic garbage generation has been made more difficult by month [27, 35]. Still, the indiscriminate use of PPE items
the COVID-19 epidemic. PPE (personal protective equip- by global citizens has become a concern due to poor product
ment) items (including single-use plastics) and waste man- management and disposal.
agement practices that are harmful to the environment are Surgical masks and gloves should also not be used for 3–
not considered by this model (Figure 1). COVID-19’s global 4 hours at a time. To avoid cross-contamination, the surgical
spread has resulted in an increase in medical waste and mask should be replaced and thrown every 4 hours. Accord-
single-use plastic waste. COVID-19 has accelerated plastic ing to Oceans Asia, masks may be spotted every 100 yards
waste generation due to the inappropriate disposal of PPE. on Hong Kong’s Soko Islands beach [27, 35]. Besides, phar-
The amount of plastic wastes generated globally since maceutical packaging waste is on the rise, as is the use of
COVID outbreak is presented in Table 3. Face masks and patient medications. Furthermore, the accumulation of
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
6 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

Microplastics Pollutant Environmental

nature nature condition
Size
additive Hydrophobicity
pH
composition spatial structure
Salinity
surface charge functional
temperature
functional group
group

MPs

Other
environmental MPs
MPs
Microplastics pollutants

MPs
MPs
The mixture toxicity of microplastics
The individual toxicity
and other environmental pollutants

MPs

Other environmental pollutants

Figure 2: The interaction of microplastics with other environmental contaminants along with their influencing factors [adapted with
permission from [34]; Elsevier].

plastic waste is aided by laboratory examinations, experi- landfill. Unfortunately, the bags do not decompose in their
ments, and blood tests. Because of the increased whole. Instead, they have photodegraded, resulting in micro-
manufacturing and purchasing volume during this epidemic, plastics, which absorb toxins and damage the surrounding
the use of single-use plastics is expanding. Plastic demand environment (Figure 2). According to Waste Management,
for packaging is forecast to rise by 40%, while the market every year, barely 1% of all plastic bags are returned for recy-
for other applications, such as medical applications, is likely cling. Despite the fact that the average family recycles only
to increase by 17% [27, 35]. Because everyone is concerned 15 bags each year, the rest winds up in landfills or the gar-
about their health and cleanliness at this time, most cus- bage. In the industrialized world, plastics are a by-product,
tomers and providers will choose food wrapped in plastic and their global acceptance has expanded enormously in
containers or one time-use food packaging. Most restaurants recent years, and it is likely to continue to do so in the future.
replace used dishes and silverware. Supermarkets and food The outcome was the development of organic polymers
stores offer home delivery services to protect their cus- designed to alleviate the issues associated with traditional
tomers’ safety issues. According to a poll conducted in South plastics [37].
Korea, the number of people purchasing food/groceries Single-use plastic is extremely harmful to humans, ani-
online has climbed by 92.5 and 44.5%, respectively, in the mals, and aquatic life. Plastic particles are consumed along-
previous year [36]. In nations, such as Italy, Vietnam, and side food by aquatic or marine oceanic creatures. Plastic
China, online purchases increased by 12–57% [36]. Profiting cannot be processed, and as a result, it becomes lodged in
from this demand has resulted in an increase in the produc- their digestive system, causing severe medical problems. Poi-
tion of plastic waste including multilayered plastic, thin sonous synthetic compounds are released during the manu-
films, and foams. As the world prepared for the pandemic, facture of single-use plastic sacks, which can cause serious
the overuse of plastic resulted in a new scourge of plastic illness in those who work with them. One of the major
waste which we have been fighting at the expense of our causes of natural contamination is plastic—individuals suf-
ecosystem. fering from various diseases due to the contaminated envi-
ronment. We must comprehend the issues that single-use
5. Global Threat plastic generates and eliminate its use. As a result, we must
use less plastic unless necessary, shift to environmentally
To match the amount of gasoline required to travel one mile, friendly products and services, and consider innovations
it takes around 14 plastic bags to make the trip. For the most that allow us to reuse plastics more effectively. To protect
part, plastic bags are only used for 12 minutes. It takes a long our planet, climate, and people, we must stop using single-
time for a plastic bag to disintegrate (at least 500 years) in a use plastic. The Indian government has implemented a
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 7

multiclerical strategy to reduce single-use plastics ‘use including metal straws, lunch boxes, reusable bags, and bot-
around the country in order to eliminate it from India by tles, many communities still rely on the quick and cheap
2022. The cross-country ban on plastic items (such as plates, plastic choice. Bartolotta and Hardy [40] have suggested that
cups, bags, bottles, and straws) and other single-use plastics the two most common reasons people will not choose a
went into effect on October 2, 2019, intending to phase out practical alternative are either they have forgotten their reus-
single-use plastics from urban communities and towns that able goods at home or believe reusable items are unsanitary.
are most polluted. Given the foregoing, we owe it to our- Because the most common reason for not using a manage-
selves, the earth, and all living creatures to cease using able thing fails to bring one, plastic alternatives are fre-
single-use plastic so that they might live healthy, happy, quently available. Many people will conclude that using the
and prosperous lives. We produce massive amounts of more advantageous plastic option is not a big deal. This
single-use plastic regularly, the majority of which cannot influence may be insignificant on an individual level, but it
be reused. Plastic sacks, polythene, plastic glass, straws, can have a significant cumulative effect if everyone adopts
pop, water containers, and food bundling items are examples the same perspective. As a result of their routines, comfort,
of single-use plastic. These single-use plastics are only used and general accessibility of single-use plastic objects, individ-
once before being discarded in the trash to be reused. Plas- uals find it impossible to change their behavior.
tics, unlike natural materials, take decades to degrade
completely. Plastic bags are nonbiodegradable and, in most 6. COVID-19 and Single-Use Plastics
cases, end up in a landfill, where they are covered, or in
the water, where they eventually end up in the sea via vari- It is believed to have originated from a creature and is caus-
ous methods. They break down into minute particles in the ing significant respiratory problems in susceptible individ-
soil and water bodies, but they do not disintegrate. They stay uals [41] whereas the origins of virus are still unknown.
in dirt/water for over a century, delivering poisonous syn- On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization’s
thetic compounds and harming our lovely planet and cli- (WHO) Director-General proclaimed COVID-19 a pan-
mate in the process. In particular, plastic sacks that enter demic, citing the transmission of 118,000 infected individ-
bodies of water are a major source of water contamination, uals to more than 114 nations [42, 43]. PPE became
and as a result, our current condition is deteriorating in necessary to eliminate contamination among medical service
every aspect [38, 39]. employees treating symptomless and suggestive patients and
Single-use plastics are a clear indication of the problems allow public medical service frameworks to operate [44].
that disposable culture brings along with it. Our reliance on According to their estimates, medical service specialists
them results in a tremendous amount of plastic waste gener- require approximately 89 million clinical veils, 1.6 million
ation amounting to around 300 million tonnes annually with goggles, and 76 million gloves every month [45].
more than half of it going into manufacturing single-use Nonetheless, public worry about this highly contagious
plastics which in turn cannot be recycled. Even though reus- illness has accelerated the usage of personal protective
ing as much plastic as possible lessens its impact on the envi- equipment (PPE) by general public to limit the infection’s
ronment, despite this, a whopping 91% of all plastic is never unquantified spread worldwide. The projected monthly
recycled again. In the absence of any other factors, it will needs for personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time
eventually find its way into landfills or the environment. of deconfinement were around 1 billion face covers and 0.5
One of the most problematic aspects of reusing single-use billion gloves [46]. According to WHO, the world’s 7.8 bil-
plastic is that it falls into reusing hardware. As a result, reus- lion individuals would use 129 billion face veils and 65 bil-
ing centers usually overlook single-use plastics, tiny things lion gloves each month if global comparisons were used
such as packs, straws, and flatware. Plastics do not degrade [47]. The widespread and haphazard use of covers has
if left unattended; somewhat, they degrade by breaking up. caused controversy, with Western governments advocating
Plastics are gradually transformed into more modest against them because of lack of proof for assurance. A lack
pieces by the sun and warmth, eventually becoming micro- of proper handling, disposal and a misunderstanding that
plastics. These small plastic parts, measuring 5 mm in length, everything is alright could lead to an increase in dangerous
are difficult to spot and are strewn. They end up in the water, activities [6]. A small group of researchers have been
where they are eaten by natural life, and then inside our bod- entrusted with reevaluating this choice with the hopes of
ies. Wildlife is particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed reducing the spread of new coronavirus infections in the
by microplastics because, when swallowed, they can quickly future [48].
accumulate inside a creature’s body, causing medical prob- It is extremely likely to have a significant impact on the
lems such as pierced organs and potentially fatal intestinal plan to prevent another pandemic [49], and the researchers
blockages. As a result, there is an increasing demand for conclude that understanding HSW (hospital solid waste)
low-cost biodegrdable materials to minimize emissions and disposal in isolated individuals with infectious diseases is
address waste management challenges. critical. Although various researchers examined these strate-
The employment of single-use plastic continues to be gies in an environmental setting, the following section will
exceedingly ubiquitous in the daily lives of most American demonstrate the advantages of implementing these strategies
students despite a growing body of information proving its to combat the COVID-19 virus without compromising pub-
negative impacts on ecosystem, animal health, and human lic health. The hospital waste includes tissue waste, cytotoxic
health. Although there are numerous low-cost alternatives, chemicals, and mixed garbage. In some cases, ignoring HSW
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
8 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

can be dangerous [50]. Its distinguishing feature is that it tem. During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, the
may contain pathogenic agents that are hazardous to human following sustainable methods for handling solid waste are
health [51]. Approximately 15% of hospital garbage is recommended, including the use of PPE such as facemasks.
deemed hazardous [52]. Human waste exposure causes the Waste management requires community participation
disposal of HSW [53, 54]. In Liberia, open during, indis- from individuals. It is unsustainable to rely on the govern-
criminate dumping, and landfill account for roughly 10%, ment to dispose garbage, especially given the inevitable
65%, and 25% of solid waste disposal techniques, respec- increase in waste production, the anticipated future problem
tively [55]. Reliable waste management processes must of more people, and the unforeseen pandemic COVID-19.
include sorting, collection/transportation, storage, and dis- By providing adequate equipment, scavengers and waste
posal. [56, 57]. In the summer of 2012, some installations pickers will be protected from harm or disease, resulting in
and hospitals used on-site waste management systems. As fewer workplace injuries. One of the most effective methods
one of the critical components of the operation, effective for preventing disease cross-contamination, such as the
use of protective equipment is required for waste manage- COVID-19 pandemic, is to incorporate source separation
ment. Although some emerging economies have no plan in into the 3Rs of sustainable waste management (reduction,
place to deal with the massive amounts of waste they gener- reuse, and recycling). To accomplish the United Nations
ate [55], other countries have established policy frameworks. Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), source separa-
In the Nigerian town of Ogbomoso, there is no government- tion is required for healthy and livable cities and communi-
supported garbage collection, disposal, or recycling infra- ties (SDG). Source separation is the best way to keep
structure in the local hospitals [58]. Incineration is a chal- hazardous waste out of recycling or reusing recyclables to
lenging method of waste disposal, but due to the high avoid health issues. For community waste treatment facili-
temperature, it would be highly effective on COVID-19 con- ties, a set of regulations must be established. For biodegrad-
taminated waste. Researchers found that pyrolysis and able materials, waste disposal sites, and on-site waste
chemical disinfection are better alternatives to incineration processing facilities such as incinerators and autoclave
and garbage disposal for managing medical waste [58]. The machines must be available. Biodegradable incinerators are
chemical disinfection of the ransomware virus is effective especially required on-site for waste treatment by communi-
due to the sterilizing aspect, and the process is successful ties and cities (Figure 3).
due to extremely high temperatures. For the management Decentralizing solid waste management (through multi-
of HSW, these scenarios are advantageous. Comparable con- ple levels of management engagement) would ensure that
clusions on the harmful effects of incineration and deposits various types of waste are treated appropriately and
compared to composting have been established based on a promptly rather than mingling or leaking into the environ-
study for Gujranwala, Pakistan [59]. A viral transmission ment. To solve hazardous waste problem, we can use a vari-
during COVID-19 can be successfully stopped if composting ety of procedures based on technical expertise, equipment
is adopted in separate vessel and proper waste handling availability, and financing capabilities, such as thermal treat-
techniques are used. ment, microwave treatment, and so on [68, 69]. Still, the risk
In addition, HSW can be self-sterilized, steamed, steril- of COVID-19 snowballing due to improper EPI disposal
ized, and microsaved [60, 61]. These strategies are also effec- cannot be overstated. In addition to the previously inade-
tive against viruses. Other novel applications of low- quate solid waste management system in developing coun-
temperature plasma, radiation, polymerization, and biologi- tries, the significant increase in the number of cases
cal are converters can be considered. In areas lacking inte- necessitates practical actions to halt COVID-19 spread. Fur-
grated waste management systems, infectious diseases are thermore, the growing number of reports of COVID-19
likely to spread quickly. Management systems for the use infection in developing countries may aggravate the current
of HSW in hospitals are insufficient. In Aligarh, India, the strict rule, which requires facemasks as well as future lockout
Aligarh Institute of Medical Sciences faced a similar chal- expansions in those countries, compounding the solid waste
lenge [62]. The University Teaching Hospital of Lagos, Nige- management challenge faced by used PPEs. Existing waste
ria, also reported on the situation [56]. Iran’s Hormozgan management policies in developing countries should be
province was also plagued by problems [63]. Patiala City, changed to address the environmental and health concerns
India [64], Hormozgan City, Iran [63], and Anambra State, of increased waste generation and unforeseen incidents like
Nigeria all reported similar problems. There were also issues COVID-19 pandemic and others in a sustainable and effec-
identified [65]. tive manner. More importantly, COVID-19 solid waste pan-
Despite the fact that the disease was unforeseen, current demic requires sustainable solutions [67].
waste management failures in many developing countries A novel approach developed recently is to determine
have resulted in a revision of the existing waste disposal which composts degrade biodegradable polymer-based bio-
structure and system. In developing countries, government composites. Microbes naturally occur in compost, destroying
waste management is weak, inefficient, and unsustainable. biocomposites-based PLA (polylactic acid). Some modified
New regulations developed and implemented across multi- biopolymers are recommended for environmentally friendly
ple governmental divisions rather result in a policy gap biocomposite biodegradable packaging. Bacillus flexus is also
[66]. To prepare for the likely post-COVID-19 epidemic in charge of PLA-based microbiological data biodegradation.
waste left behind by patients, a new long-term and sustain- The inoculum is not required for the use of excellent and rich
able policy is enquired to improve the current inefficient sys- compost prior to biodegradation. Investigations in this field
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 9

Personal protective
equipement for handling
covid-19 pandemic

Person to person
transmission

Biodegradable Medical Household

materials waste waste
Pre/post-plan
Soil
Minimize
Air
Segregate
Water
Disposal

Figure 3: COVID-19-related waste, and its potential long-term solutions [adapted with permission (under CC.BY. 4.0) from [67]; Springer].

can help us understand how different bacterial strains react to N95 veils, suitable for screening airborne particulates less
thermophilic conditions when PLA-based composites are than 0.3 microns in size by 95 percent, are made up of plas-
destroyed. The fact that the critical study only uses one com- tics like PP and PET, among other materials. Other dispos-
post type is a significant flaw. The microbial community’s able PPE items like cautious suits and veils, are primarily
diversity has a distinct impact on all types of compost. They constructed of nonwoven fabrics commonly combined with
are also well suited for decomposition into biomedical biode- PE, PP, and PET [72]. As a result, people inspired by the
gradable polymer biocomposite. According to research, the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the growing plastic pol-
biocomposite of single-strain PLA has been successfully bro- lution problem by using and disposing of clinical waste.
ken down by natural bacteria in composting settings. Micro- They can be transported all over the world [73], and under
bial absorption and release from PLA matrix biofilters the influence of natural conditions, they can split into micro-
appear to have resulted in fractures and holes. The degrada- plastics (tiny pieces of plastic that can be swallowed by ani-
tion/biodegradation of 90% of the carbon component in mals or eaten by humans) [74, 75]. Because of long-term
PLA composites takes about 180 days [70]. stability in environment, PPE deposits from COVID-19 phe-
As long as the current epidemic persists, those who are nomenon are likely to be a common rubbish ingredient in
unfamiliar with the management of solid hospital waste the background for a long time, with the potential to influ-
must be barred from handling it. If the government ignores ence biota in a variety of ecological compartments and nat-
the environmental impact of waste, it poses negative impact ural frameworks. During the epidemic, there may also be
to ecosystem and public health; as a result, doctors must an accelerated demand for single-use plastic products as
carefully manage medical waste disposal. shoppers have shifted away from being concerned about
Specialized training for workers with few relevant skills environmental impact and toward using plastic packaging
is required for the management of infectious waste. If skilled for reasons of hygiene and well-being [76]. Consequently,
labor is in short supply, workers must undergo training. expanded interest for goods, medical services items, and
Authorized parties should design and initiate advertisements internet business bundling are average, diminishing in the
for the general public. As a result, used gloves and covers excess zones [77]. Thus, this pandemic altered utilization
would now be found as litter in public places, indicating that patterns by making money from the use of single-use plastic
the general people’s concerns regarding improper removal bundling, but it also caused a general decline in urban waste
were not unfounded. Because it is primarily made up of plas- creation and hampered reuse efforts. However, the demand
tics, this potentially enticing litter will survive in the envi- for disposable PPE in healthcare increased the design of clin-
ronment, possibly dividing into microplastics, unless it is ical waste, sometimes beyond the therapy limit, necessitating
adequately gathered and disposed of face covers for single- the development of optional end-of-life medications.
use are typically composed of plastics like polyurethane, Figures 4–6 clearly show the plastic production in vari-
polyacrylonitrile, or polypropylene with orders based on fil- ous countries. The trends during COVID-19 in the selected
tration limits ranging from FFP1 (80 per cent) to FFP2 (94 regions where the consumption was reported were India,
per cent) and FFP3 (99 per cent) in European Union and Europe, and China. India has shown an increase in the
from N95 (95 per cent) to N99 (99 per cent) and N100 amount of produced plastics in 2020 during the COVID
(100 per cent) in the United States [71]. The recommended (Figure 4), which is evident that the services within the
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
10 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

13.1% 13.7% 9.1% 6.1%

6.2%
9.1%
6.7%
14.4% 14.7%
8.9% 6.9%

13.7% 7.1%
15.5% 8.6%
7.4%
14.8% 8.3%
8% 7.7%
FY 2015 FY 2019
FY 2016 FY 2020 2008 2015
FY 2017 FY 2021
2009 2016
FY 2018
2010 2017
Figure 4: Plastic production volume in India FY-2015-2021 2011 2018
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067510/india-performance-
plastics-production-volume/. 2012 2019
2013 2020⁎

5% 7.6% 2014
10.6% 8.2%
Figure 6: Global plastic production volume FY-1950-2020 https://
www.statista.com/statistics/282732/global-production-of-plastics-
10% 9.7% since-1950/.

7. Recommendations
Plastic utilization is unavoidable because of its lower price,
10.8% 10% flexibility, durability, suitability, and easy substitutability.
They have a growing attraction among the people of all eco-
8% 10.2% nomic categories. Recovery, reuse, and recycling are possible
9.9% to the maximum extent for plastic products of different
FY 2012 FY 2018 kinds. On the other hand, plastic carry bags, including pack-
aged plastics, are utilized without any control. Producers and
FY 2013 FY 2019
consumers continuously invent new uses for carrying bags
FY 2014 FY 2020 by giving up many natural products. So, the use of plastic
FY 2015 FY 2021 carry bags expands at a faster rate. The used carry bags are
FY 2016 FY 2022⁎ carelessly discarded into the environment since they have
no scope for recovery and resale opportunities. Discarded
FY 2017
plastic bags create many problems for health, the environ-
Figure 5: Plastic production volume in China FY-2012-2022 ment, and resources. A total ban on carry bags of all kinds
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1255628/plastic-product- with the support of producers, consumers, and distributors
production-in-china/. within a specific period of time is the need of the hour. A
practical, viable, flexible, and economically sound alternative
for plastics in packaging will be a permanent solution to the
country may require a higher effort for controlling and recy- problem. Plastic carry bags are invited danger, and they
cling plastic waste. Whereas in Europe, the trends in plastic gradually entered into the consumption culture of develop-
production remained stagnant during and before the ing countries from their developed counterparts who intro-
COVID outbreak (Figure 6). European countries have a pol- duced them. But, developed countries with a solid
icy of recycling plastic waste on a large scale, which is only institutional background are well-informed households
visible in upper-tier cities in India, which is also not backed by a good level of environmental education. Good
completely followed. China reported an increment in plastic economic environment, finding and following alternatives,
production in 2021 (Figure 5), but instead of 2020, there is and lesser disparities in many characteristics of the home-
an unusual trend where the plastic production since 2019, s—reduce the use of carry bags, safely dispose/recover at
which decreased in 2020. The production remained within the end in use stream, and recycle them appropriately. On
10-11% from 2019 to 2021, which is not a major change this issue, developing countries lag in many respects. Above
on charts, but the values are very high. all, authorities need a strong political will to ban or control
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 11

the packaged plastics and carry bags. Now it is time to join reusable in addition to compostable wrap made
hands together and protect the environment from the using beeswax for an enlivening and straightforward
mounting of plastic wastes, preserve land, water, and air, alternative
and make the world a better place to live. We could safely
get relieved from the invited danger of plastics through a (f) Purchase a bamboo or metal straw that is reusable.
systematic and integrated management system. Pack it close by reusable cutlery (like bamboo, wood,
India yearly produces nearly 9.4 million tonnes of plastic or any metal chopsticks) for maintainable eating in a
waste without any proper disposal system. Govt. of India hurry
implied a ban on single-use plastic items like straws, cups, (g) Converse with the proprietors of the cafés you visit
spoons, bottles, and plastic bags from the second October regularly. Please inquire whether they have nonplas-
2019 on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. tic options in contrast to plastic straws, stirrers, or
By the year 2022, the Hon’ble Prime Minister aims to abolish packs
the utilization of single-use plastic entirely. To date, nearly
sixty countries have banned using single-use plastic. (h) Stand up on the side of nearby plastic boycotts,
According to Deepak Ballani (DG, AIPMA) in a discus- regardless of whether by calling your nearby govern-
sion in Rajya Sabha TV, “The problem is not with the plastic ment agent, presenting an opinion piece to your
material but with the visible plastic pollution which starts city’s paper, or essentially beginning discussions
from the littering habit of the society. As a material, plastic with neighbours
emits lesser greenhouse gas than bamboo, glass or even card- (i) Let organizations that make your significant items
boards but its inadequate infrastructure to address scientific- realize that you care about the bundling. Through
based management of post-consumption waste to the segre- social media call, or send letters to these organiza-
gation of its source, collection and disposal poses a problem. tions to request that they change to more substantial,
The people, the consumer, the municipal bodies are largely recyclable, compostable, sustainable, and reused
responsible for plastic waste management.” In the same dis- content bundling with less petroleum derivative
cussion, Dr. Suneel Pandey (Senior Fellow and Director, inferred plastic
TERI) said, “The thickness of plastic can be enhanced from
50 microns to 150 microns as it becomes more visible to 7.2. Few Recommendations during COVID-19 Pandemic.
the waste collectors. As well as Paper is not an alternative These workers which are prone to illness, collect garbage at
solution as using Paper leads to massive deforestation and dumps and further become contagious. Despite the fact that
Plastics evolved as an alternative of Paper previously to stop it is an effective way to preserve natural resources and avoid
the deforestation.” pollution, the existence of COVID-19 and the viruses glob-
ally spread means that the risk of infection must be reduced.
7.1. These Are Some Positive Approaches to Curb Single-Use
Access to landfills and the availability of recyclables should
Plastic Usage. Individual decisions and the aggregate move-
be prioritized in efforts to protect these workers. Reduced
ments they achieve—add up rapidly. They simplify only
recycling and increased use of single-use products should
one trade, such as buying a water bottle that can reuse to
be encouraged for achieving SDGs (Figure 7).
save the climate and many plastic jugs every year. Here are
Water treatment plants must increase their treatment
a couple of more instructions for freeing your life (and your
efficiencies to prevent the novel coronavirus spread through
local area) of single-use plastics for good:
the reuse of wastewater from entering the environment. This
(a) Continuously gather a reusable sack when shopping condition is necessary because incineration and deep burial
(furthermore, yes—reusable sacks are preferred for are the only options available when dealing with human tis-
the climate over plastics, late media asserts aside) sue in rural or isolated areas where a waste treatment facility
is not readily accessible.
(b) Cook more frequently, to lessen your utilization of Face masks made of polymers are becoming increasingly
plastic-substantial take out compartments popular, fuelled by environmental worries about plastic or
microplastic contamination and waste management issues
(c) Purchase in mass. Keep away from separately bun- regarding waste management. It is recommended that bio-
dled merchandise, similar to nibble packs degradable materials such as high molecular weight polyeth-
(d) What is the most sensible choice for reducing your ylene (HMPE), artificial fibres, aramids, natural polymers,
impression and plastic waste? Online purchases, sponge nitrile, and polyurethane are utilized whenever possi-
while sometimes less environmentally friendly than ble in the construction of personal protective equipment.
in-store shopping (avoid using the quick shipping Manufacturing materials should also have a reduced carbon
option if at all possible), are nonetheless loaded with and water impact than materials that are chemically created.
plastic when they get to their destination. Face-to-
face purchases can be made via walking, bicycling, 7.3. Bioplastic—A Future Perspective
or taking public transportation
7.3.1. EMBO. The company represents the bioplastics indus-
(e) Keep away from cling wrap through and through by try and promotes biodegradable and renewable bioplastics.
putting away extras in reusable holders. Attempt According to the IUPAC, bioplastics are “biomass or plant
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
12 Journal of Environmental and Public Health

Crude oil to plastics

Manufacturing
of plastic pellets Pellets spillage
Recycling from crude oil

Manufacturing
Recycling of plastic
cts products
du
r pro
e
oth e)
ls for cradl
ia o
Incineration ter le t
w ma (crad
Ra
Plastic
products

End of life
Consumption

Landfill
Reuse

Use/reuse of
Discharge to environment plastic products

Figure 7: Highlights for plastic product life cycle assessment and circular economy [adapted with permission (under CC.BY. 4.0) from [78]; MDPI].

origin monomers that can be designed at any point of devel- have different environmental advantages depending on the
opment” [79]. Bioplastics are a type of modern plastic made application. Green polyethylene [PE] is different than tradi-
from either recycled feedstocks or microorganisms. They are tional plastic in that it helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
critical to a greener future because they drastically reduce emissions during the manufacturing process.
environmental effects like greenhouse gas emissions and Biodegradable polymers are an additional benefit over
energy consumption. Bioplastic materials have now been nonbiodegradable polymers in that only a few biopolymers
proven to be a viable alternative to traditional plastics in sev- have outstanding mechanical qualities. Several materials,
eral applications [80]. Bioplastics make up about 1% of the including starch, PVA, PLA, polybutyleneadipate (PBA),
world’s total plastic production, totaling 370 million tonnes poly (PBA,” Butyleneadipates), and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate
[81]. Their annual growth rates, on the other hand, will be (PBA, PVA) [83, 84], have been used in the preparation of
around 30% by 2025. Organic plastics can be entirely biode- biodegradable packaging material. The relationship between
gradable for CO2 in months or years as part of the emerging biodegradation rate and mechanical qualities is inverse for
circular biological economy. Rapid plastic waste processing the majority of packaging materials [85]. Biodegradability
is a significant factor in the international market for high- and high automation are two of PVA’s advantages. It is also
quality recycled plastics as part of the growing circular a thermally stable polymer with excellent chemical resis-
bioeconomy (e.g., absolute CO2 biodegradability without tance, hydrophilicity, and high crystalline content [86, 87].
harmful products). Plants, microalgae, and cyanobacteria It is necessary to make modifications to improve the perfor-
are used in solar-driven feedstock processing processes to mance of the PVA packing film [88–90]. Most alteration
create various biodegradable plastics and a long-term carbon techniques are employed to cross-link, categorize, and
sink infrastructure. enhance mechanical, barrier, and thermal stability [91].
Food packaging, very light sachets, and farming applica- Green PE, derived during sugarcane processing, is the
tions have benefited from biodegradable plastic materials. first certified renewable energy plastic globally, breaking
For example, certified oil-biodegradable mulch films [82] new ground in the petrochemical industry as well as play
 4642, 2022, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1066350 by University Of Toronto Librarie, Wiley Online Library on [08/12/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Environmental and Public Health 13

a pivotal role in carbon capture and sequestration, contrib- 8. Conclusions

uting to climate change mitigation. Another effect of green
plastic growth is the creation of SSCM (sustainable supply Reduced personal plastic usage is the most efficient method
chain management). Supply chain management (SCM) is of reducing single-use plastic derived environmental pollu-
defined by flow, collaboration, stakeholders, relationships, tion. Because of our current dependency on plastics, obtain-
value, effectiveness, and performance. SSCM combines eco- ing this perfect case scenario will be tough to accomplish
nomic, environmental, cultural, resiliency, and long-term [105–107]. People in developing and underdeveloped coun-
objectives into business for sustainability [92, 93]. But green tries could benefit from being educated about plastics and
PE derivation from sugarcane processing is not sustainable implementing trash management strategies into their daily
because they compete for arable land, freshwater, and food lives. Educating the public on negative adverse impacts of
production (Bastos2018), these are not fully agreed upon plastic trash on ecosystem and human health is essential to
with the UNSDGs. Therefore, next-generation bioplastic achieving this goal. If you compare the qualities of recycled
manufacturing using microalgae can overcome these diffi- plastic to those of virgin plastic, recycling is a time-
culties. It is also possible to employ saline or wastewater consuming and expensive procedure with poorer properties
in microalgae systems, which may increase the likelihood [108–110]. The problems associated with the processing of
of successful recycling by minimizing eutrophication and plastic trash can be alleviated by technological innovation
the need for stimulating chemical fertilizers in confined sys- and the expediting of research and development efforts.
tems of nitrogen and phosphorus. Unlike fossil-based plas- One possible answer is the creation of biodegradable and
tic, both natural and industrial composting environments environmentally friendly polymers. However, large-scale
can build biodegradability. Some biodegradable polymers implementation and widespread adoption, on the other
such as polybutylene adipate and polycaprolactones are hand, entail a significant investment of time and resources.
found in the fossil [94]. A scientist from Bangladesh
recently invented a way of turning the fiber into cheap, bio- Data Availability
degradable cellulose panels, converted into greener,
plastically-like throw-away bags. These are plastic jute bags All the data are included in the manuscript.
that are used for making burlap bags with plant fiber [95].
Although the Jute, known for its color and once-high pric- Ethical Approval
ing, is a “golden fiber,” its appearance has fallen as demand
dropped. After three months in the soil, these bags are bio- The research does not involve toxicity analysis on biological
degradable and recyclable. samples and accordingly not needed.
Compostable polymers are promoted as having envi-
ronmental benefits [96], primarily when extracted from Consent
and regenerated by organic recycling, generated from
The research does not involve human participants, and
renewable materials. Oil-derived plastics are altered by
accordingly not needed. All authors totally agreed for the
allowing the use of biodegradable plastics, which natural
publication of this research.
microorganisms can invest in the atmosphere or trash
dumps [97, 98]. All plastics are, in general, nondegradable,
but not all bioplastic is compostable. It is very crucial to Conflicts of Interest
understand the fact [99].
The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial inter-
Pure nanocellulose produced by acid hydrolysis from
ests to disclose.
agricultural waste material, such as jackfruit (Artocarpus het-
erophyllus), has recently been accepted by scientific commu-
nity [100]. Several chemicals, including polyvinyl alcohol, Acknowledgments
glycerol, triethyl citrate, polyethylene glycol, and a unique The authors acknowledge the environmental organization
filler (derived from Boswellia serrata, also named as frankin- “Voice of Environment (VoE)”, all the faculties, scholars,
cense,) were used for bioplastic formulation. A series of tests and staff of the respective organizations of all the authors
have confirmed the film’s physical, electronic, thermal, and for their enormous effort and support to sum up this report
biodegradability. A different plasticizer was used during the for the benefit of humankind during this pandemic
film-forming to give the nanocellulose, plasticizer, and filler situation.
a more stable hydrogen bond [100]. This condition is
because microalgae rapidly develop and do not compete
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