Should I Reuse It or Throw It Out? Analysis of the Management of Household Plastic Waste by Brazilian Consumers during the COVID-19 Pandemic through Practice Lens

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reuse of plastic bags from supermarkets among Brazilian consumers through the lens of practices. This qualitative research took place through the collection of records in digital ‘solicited diaries’ with interviews, using autoethnographic field diaries. The analysis process of the collected data took place through content analysis as proposed by Bardin (2014). From the results obtained, there was a greater tendency to dispose of plastic supermarket packaging and different performances to maintain this practice. These new procedures involve an increase in the consumption of cleaning products, such as bleach and soap, the addition of alcohol in this disinfection routine, and an increase in water consumption, which signals major impacts on the environment through the use of a natural resource in danger of scarcity and the release of polluting substances. The changes underwent in the performances invariably culminate in environmental impacts, either on the disposal of the plastic bags or in their hygiene for later reuse. These results alert to the challenges that governments, institutions, and individuals will have to face in an attempt to reverse the damaging effects of the pandemic on sustainability goals. Also, it contributes to consumer behavior in crisis-context literature, just as concerning the waste household.