Pollution and the emission of greenhouse gas have plummeted in all continents as nations are attempting to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus of COVID-19. The new normal have forced factories, transport and delivery system and companies to cease operation which causes a sharp decline in carbon emissions, provide better air quality, reduction in environmental noise and cleaner oceans within decades.Contrarily, a worrying trend in other environmental issues has been on the rise, the most significant is the increase of plastic waste and the reduced recycling activities amidst the pandemic, which could potentially cause serious challenges to the efforts of reducing plastic pollution. The perceived role of single plastic use has changed during this pandemic, as it reflects the health emergency. Namely, due to the health safety reasons stakeholders and consumers are requesting even more single plastic use than previously. There have been considerable efforts by the government in encouraging the public to replace single use plastics with reusable products. Despite overwhelming evidence of the threat of plastic in the environment, some legislators may decide to temporarily pause or delay implementation of these policies during the new normal global pandemic. If these changes become permanent, momentum in combating single-use plastics could be reversed and long-term implications for a more sustainable society could be created. This paper will look into the existing policies and regulatory measures to address plastic waste pollution in Malaysia and recommendations for law and plastic waste strategies as best practices for plastic reduction during the pandemic.
Volume 12 | 08-Special Issue
Pages: 731-738
DOI: 10.5373/JARDCS/V12SP8/20202575