Who is Tackling the Pandemic of Waste?
The coronavirus pandemic has generated a surge in plastic pollution, counteracting years of efforts to tackle the issue of single-use plastics. From PPE (personal protective equipment) to hand sanitiser bottles, visors, gloves and takeaway food boxes, humanity has been using plastic throughout the pandemic. However, designers, scientists and recycling businesses have been working hard to find better ways of managing this waste and turning it into something useful such as pyrolysis oil, school equipment, road building materials or plastic pellets that can be used once again to manufacture new products. The article looks at some of the processes and products these firms have developed.