Coronavirus: Are we turning the clock back? Single-use plastics are suddenly back in demand

Are we turning the clock back?

Single-use plastics is suddenly back in demand

Thomas Reiner | 01.04.2020

In view of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Starbucks removed returnable cups from its range and switched back to disposable for the time being. At the same time, restaurants and canteens around the world are switching to disposable-to-go packaging in order to be able to serve food outside the home.

In the current crisis, the issue of sustainability is receding into the background. Concerns about hygiene and security of supply dominate people’s consciousness and it is becoming clear how central the role of packaging is in this context.

Ironically, plastics and disposables, which yesterday were considered to be on the dark side of the force, are now shining in a new light. Demand is growing by leaps and bounds.

As an industry, we must now be agile enough to meet this demand. As a society, we must learn to take a more holistic view of sustainability. We need to put sustainability into a broader context that meets environmental, economic and social demands.

This is not about revisionism. Turning the clock back would certainly be exactly the wrong approach. But even blind worship of the circular economy falls short. Health and hygiene, protection and security of supply are integral components of sustainability.

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