Covid-19 affected people and the planet in myriad ways, but one impact set to long outlive most of

us who survived the pandemic is the plastic waste it generated. A study has found that by August
2021, more than 8 million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste had been generated globally,
with more than 25,000 tons— the equivalent of 2,000 double decker buses—entering the global
ocean.

Even more worryingly, the

scientists behind the
statistics predict that, by the
end of the century, almost all
pandemic-associated plastics

will end up on the seabed or beaches.

While the global plastic waste problem has long been out of control, Covid-19 has intensified our
use of single-use plastics, pushing the issue to new heights. The waste includes test kits and
personal protection equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, the vast majority of which comes
from hospitals, rather than individual use. The bulk of global discharge is from Asia (72 percent).

A study has found that almost all pandemic-associated plastic waste will end up on the seabed or beaches by the end
of the century.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHOY TSAI (LEFT) AND PHOTOGRAPH BY VINOD VARMA (RIGHT)

Awareness of the scale of the planet’s waste problem is growing, with governments in many
countries ramping up recycling programs. Businesses around the world are also increasingly
incorporating the use of recycled materials into their products.

South Korean car manufacturer Kia is helping to tackle ocean plastic waste by partnering with
organizations that collect waste from the oceans. The company also invests in recycled materials
research, and incorporates recycled materials in its car parts, including in models such as the new
Niro and the EV6. The recycled materials are found, for example, in the floor carpet and the
material on the ceiling, and in interior plastic parts and textiles.

Kia plans to increase the share of recycled plastic in its vehicles to 20 per cent by 2030. Its Niro
model already incorporates sustainable materials developed from recycled wallpaper, eucalyptus
leaves, and water-based paint to minimize impact on the environment.

Recycled plastics are now also used in everything from packaging materials to bags, furniture,
plant pots and even curbstones.

Product designers, scientists, engineers and architects are taking inspiration from the natural
world, including the ocean ecosystem, where waste is integrated back into the cycle of life.
Likewise, the circular economy brings waste back into the system, in a closed loop. This stands in
opposition to our current model of take, make, and throw away.
Biomimicry—
solving complex human problems through the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of
nature, such as the ocean—has inspired engineering innovations in the fields of robotics, medicine,
infrastructure and energy.

Designers at South Korean car manufacturer Kia select from a range of mycelium-based soft leather replacement
materials, which are of varying thickness, strength, pliability and colors.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY KIA CORPORATION

“We must find second lives, or third lives, for waste plastics and other materials now polluting our
oceans and land,” says structural engineer and architect Arthur Huang, whose recycling studio,
Miniwiz, built the nine-story EcoARK building in Taipei from 1.5 million recycled plastic bottles and
recently created a hospital ward from upcycled materials. “Our economy should produce zero
waste—that’s the ultimate role of biomimicry.”

Architect and structural engineer Arthur Huang believes in biomimicry—using nature to inspire solutions to complex
human problems—and says the ultimate goal of our economy should be to follow nature’s example and produce zero
waste.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHOY TSAI

There is a long way to go, however. Research shows that less than 10 percent of plastic
waste has ever been recycled, in large part due to industry mismangement, with much of it ending
up in landfills or incineration plants.

Many developed countries continue to ship their waste elsewhere for processing, which has a
larger carbon footprint than recycling locally. Shipped items can also become contaminated during
this process, making recycling more challenging.

“We must cut back on plastic waste generation and increase the amount we capture and manage
properly,” said National Geographic Explorer Jenna Jambeck, commenting on her paper tracking
the movement of plastic waste from land to sea, published in Science.

“By changing the way we think about waste, valuing the management of it, collecting, capturing
and containing it, we can open up new jobs and opportunities for economic innovation, and in
addition, improve the living conditions and health for millions of people around the world and
protect our oceans.”
At

Miniwiz, waste plastics are collected, shredded, and reformed into new shapes, including bricks and other building
materials.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VINOD VARMA

It was improving health during the Covid-19 pandemic that inspired Huang to create his Modular
Adaptable Convertible (MAC) ward at the Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital in Taipei. He designed
the ward from recycled and repurposed materials, including recycled aluminum and polyester, plus
medical waste, from saline bags to PPE.

The MAC system was designed to be a sustainable and mobile way to quickly transform buildings
and under-utilized space into various types of wards, for example ICU, general, or isolation,
depending on what was required on site. The state-of-the-art modular building kit includes a
collection of interlocking parts that are designed for air shipping, and allow the structure to be
assembled within 24 hours.

The Modular Adaptable Convertible ward at the Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital in Taipei is made from recycled
and repurposed materials, including medical waste.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY MINIWIZ

Other initiatives around the world that recycle clinical waste include the Thermal Compaction
Group’s SteriMelt machine,
which is now in several UK
hospitals. The machine
sterilizes and melts
protective masks, wrappings
and drapes into reusable plastic
briquettes.

Also UK-based, ReFactory holds

PPE in “quarantine” for 72 hours,
before shredding, washing
and then layering it. The plastic is
then heated to over 200°C
(392°F) and pressed into
solid boards that can be used in
construction, joinery and
shopfitting.