Covid-19 trashed the recycling dream

Rising demand for plastic goods, lower cost of new plastic made by oil sector cited as reasons

Mr Richard Pontillas resting in his family-owned "sari-sari" or provision shop in Quezon City, the Philippines, in August. The liquid goods he sells used to be packaged in glass, but now he stocks them in plastic sachets. Employees sorting plastic bo
Employees sorting plastic bottles at the Weeco plastic recycling factory in the Athi River industrial zone near Nairobi, Kenya, last year. Since Covid-19, even drink bottles made of recycled plastic have become less viable. PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Richard Pontillas resting in his family-owned "sari-sari" or provision shop in Quezon City, the Philippines, in August. The liquid goods he sells used to be packaged in glass, but now he stocks them in plastic sachets. Employees sorting plastic bo
Mr Richard Pontillas resting in his family-owned "sari-sari" or provision shop in Quezon City, the Philippines, in August. The liquid goods he sells used to be packaged in glass, but now he stocks them in plastic sachets. Employees sorting plastic bottles at the Weeco plastic recycling factory in the Athi River industrial zone near Nairobi, Kenya, last year. Since Covid-19, even drink bottles made of recycled plastic have become less viable. PHOTO: REUTERS
Joe Brock
Updated
Oct 11, 2020, 09:12 AM
Published
Oct 11, 2020, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a rush for plastic.

From Wuhan to New York, demand for face shields, gloves, takeaway food containers and bubble wrap for online shopping has surged. Since most of these cannot be recycled, so has the waste.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 11, 2020, with the headline Covid-19 trashed the recycling dream. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top