Abstract
The crisis ignited by COVID-19 has transformed the volume and composition of waste generation and requires a dynamic response from policy makers. This study selected Bangkok as a case study to semi-quantitatively examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on consumer-generated food and plastic waste by examining changes in lifestyles and consumption behaviour through a face-to-face questionnaire survey. Travel bans and diminished economic activity due to COVID-19 have led to a dramatic reduction in waste from the business sector and in the total amount of municipal waste generated. However, the results of the survey showed that both food and plastic waste generated by households in Bangkok increased during COVID-19. The shift from eating out to online food delivery services led to an increase in plastic bags, hot-and-cold food bags, plastic food containers, and food waste. Reasons for the increase in household food waste during COVID-19 varied, with respondents citing excessive amounts of food and unappetising taste, followed by exceeding the expiration date and rotting/foul odours. These reasons may be the result of the inability to predict quantity and quality when ordering online, and inadequate food planning and management by consumers. To achieve more effective food and plastic waste management, home delivery services, consumer food planning and management, and the formation of a circular economy based on localised supply chains may be considered as important intervention points.
Highlights
Bangkok was selected as a case study to examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the generation of food and plastic waste by consumers by examining shifts in consumer lifestyles and consumption behaviours through a face-to-face questionnaire survey
The potential of food delivery services in the starring role of a COVID-19 success story and the related environmental consequences of food waste, plastic waste, and other problems caused by a new food consumption paradigm were examined
This paper provides policy implications and innovative actions for tackling the issues raised to achieve more effective food and plastic waste management
Summary
With shifts in lifestyles and consumption habits, supply chain interruptions, changes in material flows, waste sorting and recycling logistics, falling oil prices, and reduced demand for recycled waste, the COVID-19 outbreak has posed significant challenges for waste management, waste recycling, and the circular economy around the world [1,2,3].This waste is medical, infectious, and healthcare waste and general waste such as food waste (FW) and plastic waste (PW).Within the past decade, food waste and plastic pollution have become key sustainability issues of international concern to policymakers, corporations, local communities, and researchers who are searching for solutions to the resulting environmental impacts across a range of academic disciplines [4,5,6]. With shifts in lifestyles and consumption habits, supply chain interruptions, changes in material flows, waste sorting and recycling logistics, falling oil prices, and reduced demand for recycled waste, the COVID-19 outbreak has posed significant challenges for waste management, waste recycling, and the circular economy around the world [1,2,3]. This waste is medical, infectious, and healthcare waste and general waste such as food waste (FW) and plastic waste (PW). Bernstad Saraiva Schott et al [9]
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