Pandemic Deals Blow to Plastic Reduction Efforts
2020-04-13
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1Just weeks ago, many American cities and states were enforcing restrictions on the use of plastics in stores and restaurants.
2Shoppers were required to bring reusable bags to food stores or pay a small amount of money to receive a bag.
3Restaurants in some areas were told not to use some plastic takeout containers.
4The efforts are part of a widespread U.S. movement to remove one-use plastic bags from everyday life.
5But the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything.
6In just a few days, U.S. bans to reduce the use of plastics, mostly shopping bags, have been ignored by a public afraid of getting coronavirus.
7Governors in Massachusetts and Illinois have banned or urged against the use of reusable cloth bags often brought to food stores.
8Oregon suspended its new ban on plastic bags this week.
9And cities from Bellingham, Washington, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, have announced a temporary halt on plastic bag bans as the coronavirus crisis continues.
10There is an increase in takeout food and a ban on reusable cups and straws at the few coffee stores that remain open.
11Many environmentalists worry that COVID-19 could end their successful efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
12"People are scared for their lives...the economy, feeding their loved ones, so the environment is taking a back seat," said Glen Quadros.
13He is owner of the Great American Diner & Bar in Seattle, Washington.
14Quadros has lost 15 employees and seen a 60 percent decrease in business since Seattle shut down to slow the virus.
15Now, he is using biodegradable containers for takeout, but they are costly -- up to three times more than plastic.
16They are also getting difficult to find, he said, because of demand.
17The plastics industry sees the current situation as a chance to get U.S. officials to reconsider the restrictions.
18The industry is asking states to remove bans on plastics by arguing that plastic one-use bags are safer in the current crisis.
19California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont have all banned plastic bags statewide.
20New York's ban has not yet started because of legal action.
21The Plastics Industry Association recently sent a letter to Alex Azar.
22He is head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
23The association asked him to speak out against plastic bag bans, arguing that the rules are putting people at risk.
24In Oregon, a union representing food store workers is asking the state government for a ban on reusable bags.
25A Chicago union called for an end "to the disease-transmitting bag tax."
26Critics say people who use reusable bags do not often wash them.
27A study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found the virus can stay on plastics for up to three days.
28It also can stay on cardboard material for up to one day.
29The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it appears possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching their face.
30But experts have said that is not the main way the virus spreads.
31More studies are needed to really know if reusable bags are in fact dangerous, says Dr. Jennifer Vines.
32She is the lead health official for Portland, Oregon.
33Vines said that currently, it is not clear whether a virus found on a surface - including cloth or something else - can actually give someone the virus.
34Some food stores are letting shoppers use their own bags if they put the food inside, so the worker does not have to touch the bag.
35Others have banned them.
36Environmental groups have pushed back strongly against arguments by the plastics industry that banning one-use plastic bags could worsen the pandemic.
37John Hocevar of Greenpeace USA said, "the movement... is not going to be that easy for the plastic industry to stop."
38I'm Jill Robbins.
1Just weeks ago, many American cities and states were enforcing restrictions on the use of plastics in stores and restaurants. 2Shoppers were required to bring reusable bags to food stores or pay a small amount of money to receive a bag. Restaurants in some areas were told not to use some plastic takeout containers. 3The efforts are part of a widespread U.S. movement to remove one-use plastic bags from everyday life. But the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. 4In just a few days, U.S. bans to reduce the use of plastics, mostly shopping bags, have been ignored by a public afraid of getting coronavirus. 5Governors in Massachusetts and Illinois have banned or urged against the use of reusable cloth bags often brought to food stores. Oregon suspended its new ban on plastic bags this week. And cities from Bellingham, Washington, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, have announced a temporary halt on plastic bag bans as the coronavirus crisis continues. 6There is an increase in takeout food and a ban on reusable cups and straws at the few coffee stores that remain open. Many environmentalists worry that COVID-19 could end their successful efforts to reduce plastic pollution. 7"People are scared for their lives...the economy, feeding their loved ones, so the environment is taking a back seat," said Glen Quadros. He is owner of the Great American Diner & Bar in Seattle, Washington. 8Quadros has lost 15 employees and seen a 60 percent decrease in business since Seattle shut down to slow the virus. Now, he is using biodegradable containers for takeout, but they are costly -- up to three times more than plastic. They are also getting difficult to find, he said, because of demand. 9The plastics industry sees the current situation as a chance to get U.S. officials to reconsider the restrictions. The industry is asking states to remove bans on plastics by arguing that plastic one-use bags are safer in the current crisis. 10California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont have all banned plastic bags statewide. New York's ban has not yet started because of legal action. 11The Plastics Industry Association recently sent a letter to Alex Azar. He is head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The association asked him to speak out against plastic bag bans, arguing that the rules are putting people at risk. 12In Oregon, a union representing food store workers is asking the state government for a ban on reusable bags. A Chicago union called for an end "to the disease-transmitting bag tax." 13Critics say people who use reusable bags do not often wash them. 14A study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found the virus can stay on plastics for up to three days. It also can stay on cardboard material for up to one day. 15The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it appears possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching their face. But experts have said that is not the main way the virus spreads. 16More studies are needed to really know if reusable bags are in fact dangerous, says Dr. Jennifer Vines. She is the lead health official for Portland, Oregon. 17Vines said that currently, it is not clear whether a virus found on a surface - including cloth or something else - can actually give someone the virus. 18Some food stores are letting shoppers use their own bags if they put the food inside, so the worker does not have to touch the bag. Others have banned them. 19Environmental groups have pushed back strongly against arguments by the plastics industry that banning one-use plastic bags could worsen the pandemic. 20John Hocevar of Greenpeace USA said, "the movement... is not going to be that easy for the plastic industry to stop." 21I'm Jill Robbins. 22The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 23________________________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25shopper - n. one who buys things in stores 26pandemic - n. an illness that spreads around the world 27cup - n. a thing to hold liquid to drink 28straw - n. a plastic tube used for drinking liquid 29biodegradable - adj. capable of being broken down into small parts by natural processes 30transmit - v. to send 31cardboard - n. a thick, stiff paper that is used to make boxes