Opportunities for the Circular Economy in COVID-19 Times – The Example in Plastic Waste Management
Opportunities for the Circular Economy in COVID-19 Times – The Example in Plastic Waste Management

Author(s): Teodoro Gallucci, Vesselina Dimitrova
Subject(s): Economy, Energy and Environmental Studies
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: Circular Economy; Plastics; Waste Management; Sustainability
Summary/Abstract: COVID-19 has serious consequences for the global sustainable policy. Scientists have yet to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19. In the short term, however, some directions are already emerging. Global plans for the accelerated introduction of the principles of circular economy are becoming now inevitable. One of the crucial areas of research during COVID-19 is waste management, especially the efficient decisions for plastics use and plastic waste mitigation. If plastic waste management is not effective, the generation of plastics wastes will enormously increase in the next decades. The paper reviews how the adoption of circular strategies for plastic waste management created opportunities both from an economic and environmental point of view during COVID-19 period. The methods used include literature review analyses and personal reflection on the role of circular economy as a change driver in plastic waste management.

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