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Impact of COVID-19 on Food and Plastic Waste Generated by Consumers in Bangkok

Author

Listed:
  • Chen Liu

    (Sustainable Consumption and Production Area, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama 240-0115, Japan)

  • Pongsun Bunditsakulchai

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Phathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Qiannan Zhuo

    (Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan)

Abstract

The crisis ignited by COVID-19 has transformed the volume and composition of waste generation and requires a dynamic response from policy makers. This study selected Bangkok as a case study to semi-quantitatively examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on consumer-generated food and plastic waste by examining changes in lifestyles and consumption behaviour through a face-to-face questionnaire survey. Travel bans and diminished economic activity due to COVID-19 have led to a dramatic reduction in waste from the business sector and in the total amount of municipal waste generated. However, the results of the survey showed that both food and plastic waste generated by households in Bangkok increased during COVID-19. The shift from eating out to online food delivery services led to an increase in plastic bags, hot-and-cold food bags, plastic food containers, and food waste. Reasons for the increase in household food waste during COVID-19 varied, with respondents citing excessive amounts of food and unappetising taste, followed by exceeding the expiration date and rotting/foul odours. These reasons may be the result of the inability to predict quantity and quality when ordering online, and inadequate food planning and management by consumers. To achieve more effective food and plastic waste management, home delivery services, consumer food planning and management, and the formation of a circular economy based on localised supply chains may be considered as important intervention points.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Liu & Pongsun Bunditsakulchai & Qiannan Zhuo, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Food and Plastic Waste Generated by Consumers in Bangkok," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8988-:d:612451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Salinda Sedtha & Vilas Nitivattananon & Mokbul Morshed Ahmad & Simon Guerrero Cruz, 2022. "The First Step of Single-Use Plastics Reduction in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Bonev, Petyo & Soederberg, Magnus & Unternährer, Maria, 2022. "An empirical evaluation of the effect of working from home on waste behaviors," Economics Working Paper Series 2210, University of St. Gallen, School of Economics and Political Science.
    5. Abhisit Bhatsada & Suthum Patumsawad & Sirintornthep Towprayoon & Chart Chiemchaisri & Awassada Phongphiphat & Komsilp Wangyao, 2023. "Modification of the Aeration-Supplied Configuration in the Biodrying Process for Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-19, April.
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    7. Eva L. Jenkins & Dickson Lukose & Linda Brennan & Annika Molenaar & Tracy A. McCaffrey, 2023. "Exploring Food Waste Conversations on Social Media: A Sentiment, Emotion, and Topic Analysis of Twitter Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-26, September.

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