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‘Windows of opportunity’: exploring the relationship between social media and plastic policies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Vince

    (University of Tasmania
    University of Tasmania)

  • Estelle Praet

    (University of York)

  • John Schofield

    (University of York)

  • Kathy Townsend

    (University of the Sunshine Coast)

Abstract

Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point due to ineffective waste management, an over-reliance on single-use plastic items and a lack of suitable plastic alternatives. The COVID-19 Pandemic has seen a dramatic increase in the use of single-use plastics including ‘COVID waste’ in the form of items specifically intended to help stop the spread of disease. Many governments have utilised COVID-19 as a window of opportunity to reverse, postpone or remove plastic policies off agendas ostensibly in order to ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 cases. In this paper, we use novel methods of social media analysis relating to three regions (USA, Mexico and Australia) to suggest that health and hygiene were not the only reasons governments utilised this window of opportunity to change plastic policies. Beyond the influence of social media on the plastics agenda, our results highlight the potential of social media as a tool to analyse public reactions to government decisions that can be influenced by industry pressure and a broader political agenda, while not necessarily following responses to consumer behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Vince & Estelle Praet & John Schofield & Kathy Townsend, 2022. "‘Windows of opportunity’: exploring the relationship between social media and plastic policies during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 55(4), pages 737-753, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:policy:v:55:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11077-022-09479-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11077-022-09479-x
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