According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) report, "The Impact of COVID-19 on Single-Use Plastics in the European Environment," the pandemic has led to an increase in the use of many products made from long-lasting, single-use plastics. Masks and gloves protect people's health, but certain types of food packaging lead to additional greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions, and the waste generated can harm ecosystems and animals. EU imports of masks and gloves more than doubled during the pandemic. During the first half of the pandemic in 2020, EU imports of masks and gloves more than doubled, while domestic production also increased. The EEA briefing estimates that the EU imported approximately 170,000 tons of masks during this period, or about 0.75 masks per person per day, resulting in additional greenhouse gas emissions and other types of pollution. The briefing further estimates that reusable cotton masks are more climate-friendly than disposable masks after approximately 13 washes, but may not provide the same level of protection. International healthcare organizations do not recommend the use of gloves as a preventative measure. However, according to the report, glove imports increased by 80% during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe, from April to September of last year, totaling 105,000 tons. The report shows that the increased use of disposable masks and gloves during the pandemic has had environmental and climate impacts from resource extraction, production, transportation, waste disposal, and littering. Impacts at the production stage were primarily felt in exporting countries outside of Europe, while impacts related to waste and littering were felt in Europe. Plastic packaging production decreased during the pandemic, while the use of plastic packaging for wrapping increased significantly. The use of plastic packaging also shifted during the pandemic. However, rather than increasing, EU domestic plastic packaging production declined rapidly in the first few months of the pandemic, before rebounding in October of last year after many countries eased lockdowns. The European Environment Agency report indicates that during the lockdown, restaurants shifted to takeout and delivery, increasing the use of single-use plastic food containers. However, the lockdown may also have reduced overall sales of on-the-go snacks, thereby reducing demand for this type of plastic packaging. The first wave of the pandemic in Europe hit restaurants and the food service industry hard, as authorities in many countries restricted occupancy or forced closures. The report indicates that restaurant turnover was 45% lower than normal between March and August of last year. Increased home working and schooling reduced dining out. On the other hand, many restaurants may have switched to takeout or delivery, potentially leading to an increase in the use of single-use packaging. According to the report, e-commerce revenue increased by 16% between March and September of last year. Parcel delivery service usage also reached a record high in 2020: Deutsche Post DHL Group's revenue increased by nearly 15% compared to the previous year, equivalent to a total of approximately 1.8 billion parcels. The increase in e-commerce activity is likely to lead to an increase in the amount of plastic used in packaging. Between March and September, the total amount of plastic packaging used for parcel delivery increased by 11,000 to 17,000 tons. The report proposes several measures to prepare for similar unexpected events and uncertainties in the future, including research on alternative materials and product designs, strategies to reduce littering, options for sterilizing medical products, and improved recycling and circular business models. Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/231540)
