Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the amount of single-use plastic waste has skyrocketed globally.
Takeaway containers for meals, packages of stored food in the house, disposable masks (many individually wrapped in plastic), plastic gloves, hand sanitisers in plastic containers — the list is endless.
Ironically, studies have suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 can linger on plastic materials longer than porous materials such as cardboard.
So wait a second.
Single-use plastic may not equate to no Covid-19 virus.
Using reusables does not mean more virus. It’s all about how we use them.
The owl future family is determined to do our best to live a low-waste lifestyle even during the pandemic, so here are some ideas for you:
Food
- Groceries (delivery): We use suppliers that accommodate our request to avoid single-use plastic and put our groceries into cardboard boxes or reusable crates. Just wash each fruit well, then dry before keeping.
- Groceries (in store): We still bring reusable bags. Just soak and wash with detergent and disinfectant after each use.
- Plastic packaging: If items come in plastic packaging, sanitise the packaging, remove the food for storage if necessary. Wash the packaging with soap and water. Dry, then sort them for recycling.
- Cook at home
- Grow our food: We’re growing bean sprouts, lemongrass and rambutan
- Bring reusable containers for takeaway: When home, sanitise the outside of the containers, remove the food. Wash containers with soap and water.
- Cook dinner in bulk, then let the kids bring to school the following day (since the school canteen only provides disposables)
Beverage
- Bring our own reusable bottles (We love our stainless steel thermal range!)
- Upgrade beverage-making skills at home: blend own smoothies and drinks
Hand sanitiser
- Get big bottles, then refill into smaller reusable bottles for each family member
- Refill at zero-waste stores
Masks
- Use multi-layered cloth masks. Add filter if needed. Soak and wash with detergent and disinfectant after use.
- Reuse the resealable bag that cloth masks come packaged in. Bring outdoors to store mask when eating. Soak and wash with masks (as above) after use.
Lifestyle
- Stay home more (work, study, play): This reduces waste (less use of masks, sanitisers, etc.) and emission, saves money, and keeps us safe
Over the past months, our family has managed to maintain a lifestyle that moves towards zero waste.
Our emissions have dropped significantly since we hardly use the family car, did not make road trips between Singapore and Malaysia, and did not travel by flight.
It has been a period for us to reflect and improve upon our lifestyle and consumption behaviour.
Small change. Big difference.
Have more ideas on how to stay safe and sustainable during Covid-19? Let us know!
Stay safe always,
Carol @ owl future
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P.S. Here are more resources for you:
- How Long Covid-19 Lives on Surfaces, WebMD
- Single-Use Plastics and COVID-19: Scientific Evidence and Environmental Regulations, Environmental Science & Technology
- Plastic pollution plagues Southeast Asia amid Covid-19 lockdowns, South China Morning Pos
- Single-use plastic in the pandemic: how to stay safe and sustainable, World Economic Forum
- The Amount Of Plastic Waste Is Surging Because Of The Coronavirus Pandemic, Forbes
(Cover photo by Karolina Grabowska, Pexels)
