COVID-19 Biomedical Plastics Wastes—Challenges and Strategies for Curbing the Environmental Disaster

The rise of the COVID-19 outbreak has made handling plastic waste much more difficult. Our superior, hyper-hygienic way of life has changed our behavioural patterns, such as the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), the increased desire for plastic-packaged food and commodities, and the use of disposable utensils, as a result of the fear of transmission. The constraints and inefficiencies of our current waste management system, in dealing with our growing reliance on plastic, could worsen its mismanagement and leakage into the environment, causing a new environmental crisis. A sustainable, systemic, and hierarchical plastic management plan, which clearly outlines the respective responsibilities as well as the socioeconomic and environmental implications of these actions, is required to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. It will necessitate action strategies tailored to individual types of plastic waste and country demand, as well as increased support from policymakers and the general public. The situation of biomedical plastic wastes during the COVID-19 epidemic is alarming. In addition, treatment of plastic waste, sterilisation, incineration, and alternative technologies for transforming bio-plastic waste into value-added products were discussed, elaborately. Our review would help to promote sustainable technologies to manage plastic waste, which can only be achieved with a change in behaviour among individuals and society, which might help to safeguard against going from one disaster to another in the coming days.

Guidelines for Improving the Quality of Life of Students Enrolled for Community Development Professional Experience during the 2019 Coronavirus Situation

This paper attempts to present guidelines for improving the quality of life of students who are enrolled for the community development professional experience in Nakhon Si ThammaratRajabhat University during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. The results of the study identified some guidelines based on the basic needs of the students. Students are advised to buy food from stores that follow strict preventive measures, eat homemade meals, and use separate eating utensils. If they are unable to cook food for themselves, they can order food from online platforms. They are advised to wear clean clothes. Used clothing should be washed immediately with disinfectants and dried in the sun. Houses should be cleaned frequently, and students should refrain from visiting friends and relatives. They should take care of their health, listen to the news, and enhance knowledge on the current crisis. Students should exercise daily at home, and if suspected of infection, they must coordinate with the community leaders to be transported to the nearest hospital. On the income front, they receive tuition fees from their parents, and some of them work for extra income to save enough for unexpected expenses. Despite the pandemic, students have managed to maintain social relationships. However, they should focus on the online mode of communication. While attending work in the community, body temperature should be checked and a face mask should always be worn. Washing hands frequently and social distancing are the key measures.

Disposable Food Packaging and Serving Materials-Trends and Biodegradability.

Food is an integral part of everyone's life. Disposable food serving utensils and tableware are a very convenient solution, especially when the possibility of the use of traditional dishes and cutlery is limited (e.g., takeaway meals). As a result, a whole range of products is available on the market: plates, trays, spoons, forks, knives, cups, straws, and more. Both the form of the product (adapted to the distribution and sales system) as well as its ecological aspect (biodegradability and life cycle) should be of interest to producers and consumers, especially considering the clearly growing trend of "eco-awareness". This is particularly important in the case of single-use products. The aim of the study was to present the current trends regarding disposable utensils intended for contact with food in the context of their biodegradability. This paper has summarized not only conventional polymers but also their modern alternatives gaining the attention of manufacturers and consumers of single-use products (SUPs).