Covid-19-related litter: an underestimated and growing issue : A qualitative study about covid-19-related litter

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to find the connection between the covid-19 pandemic and the increased littering in Jönköping municipality. Then, find out what is being done by Jönköping municipality and the municipality's waste company to manage the littering. The study used a qualitative method with semi-structured interviews to answer the research questions. The flexibility and open-ended choice of interviews were necessary considering the interviewee's different professional backgrounds. The topic chosen was essential, as increased knowledge can create the know-how required to prevent similar happenings in the future. The result showed that certain types of litter, such as medical waste and food packaging, had increased during the pandemic in certain places in Jönköping municipality. These certain places are, for example, the main beach in Jönköping city or different parks in the city, where people socialize along with something to eat and drink, hence the littering. Other litter has not seen any noticeable increase during the covid-19 pandemic. The municipality needed to reorganize and prioritize collecting the trash in these areas with an increase in litter, leaving other sites for later. This meant that the waste management system had not been efficient, and these littering changes had surprised the municipality. This study highlights the need for a waste management system that is more capable and efficient in cleaning, including when there is a pandemic or other events that temporarily increase the littering rates in certain areas.   Littering may be a forgotten subject when discussing the covid-19 pandemic, but this study aims to raise its importance and not underestimate its impact on people and nature.