Living Sustainability in a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in several ways. We wear masks and social distance whenever we go out, and the way we consume goods and products has changed as well. The information coming out at COVID-19 is new and everchanging, leaving many of us concerned about how to make sustainable choices.

An overview of pandemic waste

The easily spreadable Coronavirus has influenced the way we use waste. For starters, plastic production has increased due to a higher demand for disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves. Not to mention, at the beginning of the pandemic, the World Health Organization ordered a 40% increase in disposable PPE production to protect health care workers. OceansAsia, a marine conservation organization, predicted an estimate of 1.56 billion face masks entering the ocean last year, further contributing to the marine plastic problem.

As many of us know, personal choices outside PPE use are causing an increase in single-use consumption as well. Engaging in online shopping, ordering takeout, and having groceries delivered may reduce the risk of contracting COVID by limiting in-person contact. Unfortunately, these practices generate more single-use waste. Many students, faculty, and staff within the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources value sustainability and low-to-zero waste practices, so this information may already be familiar and even frustrating. After a year of living through a pandemic, maybe you kept your sustainable habits. Maybe some of those practices were put on hold because you were wondering how to balance personal sustainability and safety. This life-changing event has left many of us with hard decisions and questions like, “Do disposable masks keep us safe more than fabric masks? How do I support my favorite local restaurant without feeling guilty about single-use plastic?” To help alleviate some of this stress, we compiled a few ideas about how to live sustainably in a pandemic.

The advice we found:

Go Reusable

Some have shied away from reusable items, like masks and bags, during the pandemic to keep themselves safe. This is due to reports stating Coronavirus survives on surfaces for multiple days at a time. To address this concern, 125 experts wrote a letter addressing the safety of reusable items. Disposable items are not inherently safer than reusable ones since the virus can live on fabric for 1 day and plastics for 6. According to this letter, “Based on the best available science and guidance from public health professionals, it is clear that reusable systems can be used safely by employing basic hygiene.”

Cloth masks are a popular reusable alternative to polypropylene-spun disposable masks. The CDC, has guidelines on how to appropriately store and wash masks.

Reusable bags were previously popular before the pandemic. With the previously mentioned report from experts, reusable bags can make a comeback. To use these items safely, the L.A. Times suggests keeping reusable bags in the cart while shopping and bagging your groceries at checkout.

Eat Local

The University of Connecticut’s Office of Sustainability suggests eating local by:

• Buying produce from a local farmer’s market. For those close to campus, the Raleigh Farmers Market is a great option to buy local!
• Growing your food if you have space.

The Brevard Zoo recommends supporting local businesses like restaurants. For those wanting to take this a step further, the University of California Los Angeles encourages supporting sustainable restaurants. Thanks to the North Carolina GreenTravel Initiative, NC citizens can search online for certified sustainable restaurants in their area.

Recycle Responsibly

Since the pandemic started a year ago, students, faculty, and staff rely even more on electronic devices. With increased usage, these items may wear out quicker. For those frequently on campus, electronics can be placed in the yellow recycling bins in outdoor sites used for waste disposal and recycling. Check out NC State Recycling’swebsite for guidelines on recycling electronics. For students, faculty and staff off-campus, finding a drop-off location for electronic recycling can easily be done online.

Audit Yourself

According to the L.A. Times, auditing is a potential tool for those interested in tailoring consumption habits. Those interested in auditing can look through trash and recycling to see which items are used most often.

Extra Tips:

• Save water by turning off the faucet while washing your hands
• Volunteer for sustainable community initiatives
• Spend time in nature
• Refuse unwanted extra items like single-use cutlery

Hopefully, with these tips, members of our community can feel empowered to continue making environmentally friendly choices while staying safe!

Written by: Leslie Smith