Comment: The plastics industry has exploited fears around Covid-19

Microplastics have been found atop some of Earth's highest glaciers and at the bottom of its deepest trenches. - AFP

The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated the plastic pollution crisis that is now rapidly approaching a tipping point. Disposable masks and gloves litter our streets and waterways, while useless plastic bags and packaging are forced onto our communities. Addressing the pollution crisis requires the same urgency as the current pandemic, as it poses immediate and long-term risks to global health.

In recent years, concerned citizens have made significant progress tackling the issue of single-use plastics, advocating for bans, corporate accountability and systems of reuse.