Global Plastic Usage Surged Amid the Covid-19 Outbreak

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The newly published report on global plastic recycling industry by ReportLinker suggests that plastic usage across the globe increased significantly during the Covid-19 period. The report warns that global plastic recycling is likely to slump by 5% during this year.

According to the findings of the report, single-use plastic consumption has skyrocketed during this period. There has been a tremendous surge in use of single-use plastic bags, plastic water bottles and plastic packaging for food-takeaway. There has been a jump in hazardous medical waste, including face shields, masks, gloves and PPE kits. For instance, the U.S. is predicted to produce a year’s medical waste within two months.

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The report noted that illegal plastic waste disposal has soared by almost 280% during the pandemic period. While consumption of plastics has risen sharply, there has been no corresponding growth in recycling rates. Many European countries witnessed reduced collection rate for plastic waste. For instance, Germany reported substantial decline in plastic collection at deposit return scheme centres.

The disruption in waste collection and management services has resulted in increasing volumes of plastic waste ending up in landfills.

The report calls for proactive actions by the governments of respective countries in partnership with all industry stakeholders to reduce plastic waste.