Predictions of hazardous plastic waste amounts based on disposable face mask wearing habits

• Autorzy: Cesoniene Laima , Simanaviciute Raimonda , Sileikiene Daiva , Bedla Dawid

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.24425/jwld.2023.148452

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Since March 11, 2020, the global community has faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, numerous countries, including the Republic of Lithuania, mandated the wearing of face masks to curb the virus’s spread. Yet, a section of the Lithuanian populace resisted this move, voicing concerns about the inconvenience of mask-wearing and potential privacy infringements. These concerns endured, even amidst debates on the masks’ effectiveness. This article explores how the Lithuanian public responded to mask-wearing protocols during the pandemic. Survey analysis highlighted a troubling trend: many individuals dispose of face masks with their regular trash, often without proper packaging. Most masks are sourced from pharmacies or are provided by employers and are typically thrown away after just one day of use. The data underscores a significant knowledge gap in correct mask disposal, as a significant portion ends up mingled with general household waste, without proper containment. Moreover, many people keep used masks in pockets or bags. Notably, during the pandemic, an estimated 2 mln adult Lithuanians may have generated roughly 15.24 Mg of hazardous plastic waste through mask disposal.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

COVID-19; environment; face mask; pandemic; survey study

• Wydawca: Wydawnictwo ITP
• Czasopismo: Journal of Water and Land Development
• Rocznik: 2023
• Tom: no. 59
• Strony: 275--282
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 30 poz., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Cesoniene Laima

• Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Studentų St 11, Akademija, Kaunas, Lithuania

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6329-1779

autor

Simanaviciute Raimonda

• Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Studentų St 11, Akademija, Kaunas, Lithuania

autor

Sileikiene Daiva

• Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Studentų St 11, Akademija, Kaunas, Lithuania

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0404-9242

autor

Bedla Dawid

• University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Ecology, Climatology and Air Protection, Krakow, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0500-1443

Bibliografia

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Uwagi

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2024).