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Page added on March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Demonstrates the Importance of Plastics
Over the span of just a few weeks, the world’s priorities have shifted significantly. COVID-19 has made it abundantly clear that not only do we still need oil and natural gas, but the world would not be able to tackle this threat without products that are made possible by these resources, including plastic.
Cities and states are changing course on banning single-use plastics during the COVID-19 pandemic, as are some stores that were moving away from plastic bags. While some of these initial efforts had been well-intentioned policies meant to make our lifestyles more sustainable, the current situation has brought to the forefront the important role plastics play in people’s daily lives.
For instance, many retailers are finding, single-use plastics can give more certainty to employees that they are handling objects that have not been contaminated. Further, plastics are a necessary component in many of the life-saving medical equipment that will become only more important in the coming weeks and months. Items like ventilators and even medical masks will require plastic for production. At such a time, it’s important to remember how important plastic is, and why the material should be thoughtfully examined for how it can continue to improve our lives. As Bloomberg recently reported:
“The virus plays right into the industry’s strong suits: disposability and hygiene.”
States and Cities Rethinking Plastic Bag Bans
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, states like New York and Maine are rethinking their plastic bag bans given the small likelihood that reusing items with the virus on them could increase transmission. New York State’s ban on plastic bags was meant to go into effect April 1, but officials recently announced that they will not enforce the ban until after May 15.
Likewise, Maine’s legislature has decided that it will not enforce the state’s plastic bag ban until next year over concerns that reusable bags may harbor more germs and could potentially spread COVID-19.
It’s not just municipalities and states that are rethinking their stance against single-use plastics. Companies like Starbucks and Tim Horton’s have announced that at this time, they will no longer refill reusable cups for customers, opting instead to only use disposable cups. And in Pennsylvania, local grocery retailers have even banned the use of reusable grocery bags or are requiring those customers to bag their own products as a safety precaution. As Weis Markets spokesman Dennis Curtain explained:
“It’s a temporary preventive measure designed to protect our customers and associates.”
Delaying these bans and instituting counter-bans may seem like overreactions, but as people are trying to socially distance themselves and be hyper vigilant against the spread of COVID-19, such precautions may make more sense. Experts like Jonathan Abraham, an assistant professor of microbiology at Harvard Medical School, explained why turning away from reusable products right now is a smart decision:
“When something is as transmissible as this you want to minimize all possibilities. It’s better to be extra careful than assume it’s overkill.”
Plastic Necessary for Medical Equipment
Of an even more crucial consideration at this time is how important plastics are for medical equipment. Among the most widely used items to protect both health care workers and individuals from the spread of COVID-19 are masks. The U.S. Department of Health estimates that over the course of 2020, health care workers will need 3.5 billion face masks. As manufacturers attempt to scale up production, they’re finding it difficult to source, or produce, the fine mesh of synthetic polymer fibers—made from plastic—that is a critical line of filtration for the mask. The Plastics Industry Association drew further attention to the other health care equipment reliant on plastic for production and safety:
“Single-use plastics can literally be the difference between life and death. Items such as IV bags and ventilator machines, which are of the utmost importance right now, have components made of single-use plastics. The single-use hospital gowns, gloves, and masks that protect our health care workers every day are also made of plastic. I would venture to say that every machine, piece of medical care equipment, hospital bed, examination scope and tool has a component made of plastic, most of which are molded to exacting tolerances, which is possible due to the resin and the machinery being used.”
Even those trying to do their part to address the shortage of medical equipment—particularly ventilators—realize the importance of plastic. Cristian Fracassi, a civil engineer with a PhD in polymer science, and Alessandro Romaioli, a mechanical engineer, used their expertise to begin 3-D printing of valves for ventilators in Italy. These are extremely important—the valve on the ventilator needs to be replaced for each patient, and while it may “look like a simple piece of plastic,” it’s a complex part.
Sustainability is a serious topic that should be approached thoughtfully. Unfortunately, too often plastics have been the target of animosity and banning plastics has been a central part of sustainability proposals. Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these considerations must be set aside to see plastic for how it can be responsibly used to keep our food safe and clean, protect us from the virus and deliver the life-saving medical care that so many will need.
The post COVID-19 Demonstrates the Importance of Plastics appeared first on EnergyInDepth.
18 Comments on "COVID-19 Demonstrates the Importance of Plastics"
DT on Thu, 26th Mar 2020 11:36 pm
Yes plastic is useful for all sorts of things. The real issue is what happens to the plastic once it is used. I find that if I collect and process used plastic in my backyard incinerator/boiler I can generate all kinds of renewable energy. All for free. I have an electric golf cart with a trailer that I drive around on garbage day loading up for a weeks supply of fuel. I then generate enough electricity to power everything I need and keep my golf cart collection vehicle at the ready.
forbin on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 3:11 am
plastics = safe and hygienic – the issue was always on of waste management and disposal.
forbin
DT on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 5:59 am
Sure Safe and hygienic. Until the point after the single use. Then what? Safe clean to cheap to meter incinerator furnace fuel in my back yard. Generating free electric energy. Throw in some old lawn furniture, sofas, lazyboy recliners, old tires, along with the “waste” and vola, I am living grid free generating all the power I need.
Davy on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 12:46 pm
I have been sounding this alarm from the beginning of this crisis:
David Korowicz @davidkorowicz
https://twitter.com/davidkorowicz
“This is good. Despite the uncertainty, some things are quite predictable- we’re entering a global food crisis. Quote Tweet Peter Wallenberg @PWallenberg ”Without the food supply, societies just totally break” https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-24/countries-are-starting-to-hoard-food-threatening-global-trade @JKuylenstierna @aewastenberg @Olofeh @patrikoksanen @pmakela1 @SLC_lantbruk @snyggbonde”
kervennic on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 1:39 pm
You need plastic to fight the pandemics caused by the use of oil… Until there is not enough oil to fight them as they become fiercer. Prepare for the worst.
Abraham van Helsing on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 2:31 pm
German news: paper coffee filters are very useful to create improvised face masks
https://images.app.goo.gl/jQb2fbfrdr3BPLW8A
Abraham van Helsing on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 2:34 pm
https://images.app.goo.gl/tcrcKXL2d1dY6vDV8
No joke.
Anonymouse on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 2:58 pm
JuanP, your wife must be a Kunt since she does not force you into a mental health intervention. You need to be committed and she can do it
Anonymouse on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 3:11 pm
Davy, your ex-wives must be Kunts since they do not force you into a mental health intervention. You need to be committed and they can do it
JuanP on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 3:14 pm
I agree my wife must be a Kunt since she do not force me into a mental health intervention. I need to be committed and they can do it. I guess that why I like gay sex now
Davy on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 3:47 pm
Cloggo, looks like your CW2 might start in China before your Europe:
“Hubei Residents Riot After Quarantine Lifted; Police Beaten With Their Own Shield, Cop Cars Overturned”
https://tinyurl.com/t8byroq zero hedge
“Residents of Hubei province in China teamed up with their local police force to battle the police from neighboring Jiangxi province – who set up a roadblock on the Yangtze River Bridge to prevent the people of Hubei from crossing and returning to work. Footage of Hubei residents overturning Jingxi police vehicles was captured and uploaded to Chinese social media – where Chinese authorities have reportedly already scrubbed it.”
DT on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 3:56 pm
I like using the coffee filters after I have made coffee. Strapping them on my face with the used coffee grounds still inside, Hmmmmmm, delightful…….
Abraham van Helsing on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 4:25 pm
“Cloggo, looks like your CW2 might start in China before your Europe:”
You worry about your own country, certainly now that your flight route to Italy has been blocked, possibly for a long time to come:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLTvGMsEBoo
Abraham van Helsing on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 4:36 pm
Erdogan now serious in withdrawing his “migrants” from Greek-turkish border, confirmed by both the Greek and Turkish government:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10lLwO4coiI
https://www.geenstijl.nl/5152650/erdo-trekt-afghanen-nu-echt-terug-van-gr-grens/#more
Davy on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 4:51 pm
“You worry about your own country, certainly now that your flight “
LMFAO, says Mr Anglo deranged Cloggo!
The Truth Shall Set You Free on Fri, 27th Mar 2020 5:12 pm
DavyScum,
No wonder you have burned through many wives. Your present old lady is anything but an Italian countess, but rather some deplorable, toothless fatty since that’s all you qualify for now. Think about it. Imagine living with The Scum rag for awhile- hell on Earth.
JuanP on Sat, 28th Mar 2020 10:12 pm
“Huawei P40 phone uses no apps from Android maker.”
https://asiatimes.com/2020/03/huawei-p40-phone-uses-no-apps-from-android-maker/
I bet Ggogle is really happy to be losing its biggest customer in the world. By this time next year all Huawei products are likely to be 100% Google free. Congratulations Huawei! The new P40 5G phone is, IMO, the best mobile phone in the world today. You can’t buy it in the USA’s “free market” economy, though, because Huawei products have been banned in the USA since 2012.
Also, China already has more 5G base stations than the USA has 4G. From a mobile communications point of view the USAis worse than many third world countries. Uruguay already has 5G coverage in all urban areas and most rural ones, too.
Abraham van Helsing on Sun, 29th Mar 2020 5:27 am
Most senior politician in Europe dies from corona:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8164609/French-former-Minister-Patrick-Devedjian-75-dies-coronavirus.html
The good man was 75.
Yawn.