The Pandemic Is Not the Cure for Our Environmental Ills

Amidst the negativity and uncertainty revolving around COVID-19, one of the only glimmers of optimism appears to lie in the pandemic’s impact on the environment. The lockdowns occurring worldwide have generated noticeable improvements in air quality, a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decreased water pollution. While many lockdowns have now ended, the transitions schools and workplaces have undergone to allow for remote learning and working have led to a decrease in daily commuting. This major shift is one of the primary reasons behind the belief that COVID-19 is allowing nature to recover  from the detrimental impact of human activity. However, this cannot be further from the truth. 

Among the new environmental challenges emerging from the pandemic is the improper disposal of safety equipment. The rampant use of masks, gloves and other protective items has led to a rise in the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), with countries such as China producing 14.8 million masks daily since February 2020. With more masks and other PPE being produced, haphazard disposal of these items is more likely to occur. Improper disposal includes littering PPE in open spaces or not separating them from other household waste, further contributing to land and water pollution. PPE may become a source of microplastic fibers in the environment and harm animals and ecosystems. Additionally, Polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer, is used in the production of N-95 respirators and protective suits, gloves and face shields, which research has identified to be potentially toxic and long-lasting. Inappropriate disposal of PPE does not solely affect ecosystems and wildlife. The health of communities is also at risk due to waste workers and other community members coming into contact with the discarded items, increasing the potential for the transmission of COVID-19.

Another byproduct of the pandemic and state-wide lockdowns is the closure of many businesses and in-person services. Following the start of the pandemic, online shopping has boomed, as well as the frequency of delivery. Excessive packaging and transporting the products has exacerbated levels of waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions. While recycling the packaging is the ideal next step for dealing with single-use plastics, many countries have halted recycling activities, for the time being, in an attempt to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19. Nearly 46% of American cities were forced to halt their recycling programs, causing an increase in landfill waste. Additionally, recycling comes with its own set of disadvantages, including the methane gas produced during the process, which can contribute to global warming. Byproducts from the recycling process can also pollute soil, air or water. Therefore, reducing the amount of single-use packaging in the first place is more effective than dealing with the aftermath of its usage.

Various other business practices happening during the pandemic are also raising environmental concerns. Industries are working on repealing disposable bag bans. Corporations such as Whole Foods and Target have made temporary shifts back to single-use plastics. Ordering food online has also become more prevalent and, as a result, single-use packaging has surged, resulting in the increase of both organic and inorganic domestic waste. This spike in domestic waste may be associated with the rise in waste fires. Waste fires made up around 56% of the total fires in March 2020, compared to 45% in the four years prior. This upward trend may be a result of quarantine regulations, which impacted online shopping and other activities that lead to an increase in waste.

Biomedical waste such as needles, syringes, bandages, masks, gloves, used tissue, and discarded medicines has also surged in use as a result of the pandemic. Wuhan, China generated approximately 240 metric tons of medical waste each day during the height of the outbreak. This is almost 190 metric tons more than the amount produced pre-COVID. The sharp rise in hazardous waste, coupled with the improper method of its disposal, has become a significant obstacle in countries around the world. Research recently found that COVID-19 can live up to a day on cardboard materials and up to three days on plastics and stainless steel. This makes biomedical waste a serious threat to both the health and safety of the environment as well as to humans. 

The pandemic has also shed light on the connections between human health and the environment through various studies on how air quality is linked to COVID-19. Research found that there is a direct relationship between the risk of COVID-19 complications and long-term exposure to air pollution. There have also been studies conducted that link improvements in air quality to more mild symptoms for those infected with COVID-19. Additionally, study findings have shown that the level of nitrogen dioxide affects the fatality of COVID-19 and revealed associations between fossil fuel related air pollutants and death rates from the pandemic. Now more than ever, implementing changes that will reduce human environmental impact is crucial.

After closer examination of the pandemic’s effects on the environment, it is safe to conclude that viewing the pandemic as a cure to our environmental ills is not only false, but it is dangerous. In April 2020, as lockdowns were in place throughout the world, daily global carbon emissions decreased 17% in comparison to 2019. However, since early June, research has shown daily global carbon emissions to be only 5% lower than 2019. This increase is happening while daily life has still not returned to normal, so it is clear that any benefits the pandemic may have had on the environment are most likely temporary. Additionally, environmental issues that existed prior to the pandemic, such as the processing of plastic disposals, have only been exacerbated. Additional steps, including research into creating biodegradable and more eco-friendly PPE and packaging, as well as education on proper disposal of masks and other items and a continuation of remote practices, need to be taken to truly return an environmental silver lining to this pandemic.