Plastic waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: Crisis or opportunity?

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

卷:417

Article

Khoo, Kuan Shiong^1,2  Ho, Lih Yiing²  Lim, Hooi Ren²  Leong, Hui Yi³  Chew, Kit Wayne^1,4 

[1] Xiamen Univ Malaysia, Sch Energy & Chem Engn, Jalan Sunsuria, Sepang 43900, Selangor, Malaysia

[2] Univ Nottingham Malaysia, Fac Sci & Engn, Dept Chem & Environm Engn, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Selangor Darul, Malaysia

[3] Zhejiang Univ, Coll Chem & Biol Engn, Key Lab Biomass Chem Engn, Minist Educ, Hangzhou 310027, Peoples R China

[4] Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, Peoples R China

关键词: COVID-19;    Plastic waste;    Medical waste;    Waste management;    Value-added product;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126108

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a huge impact on the plastic waste management in many countries due to the sudden surge of medical waste which has led to a global waste management crisis. Improper management of plastic waste may lead to various negative impacts on the environment, animals, and human health. However, adopting proper waste management and the right technologies, looking in a different perception of the current crisis would be an opportunity. About 40% of the plastic waste ended up in landfill, 25% incinerated, 16% recycled and the remaining 19% are leaked into the environment. The increase of plastic wastes and demand of plastic markets serve as a good economic indicator for investor and government initiative to invest in technologies that converts plastic waste into value-added product such as fuel and construction materials. This will close the loop of the life cycle of plastic waste by achieving a sustainable circular economy. This review paper will provide insight of the state of plastic waste before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The treatment pathway of plastic waste such as sterilisation technology, incineration, and alternative technologies available in converting plastic waste into value-added product were reviewed.

【 授权许可】

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