The COVID-19 Pandemic and Unsustainable PPE Materials: A Correlation and Causality Analysis

Konstantinos Baltas, Robert Mann and Nicholaos C. Baltas
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Robert Mann: Sembcorp UK
Nicholaos C. Baltas: Department of Economics, School of Economic Sciences, Athens University of Economics and Business

Environmental & Resource Economics, 2024, vol. 87, issue 6, No 13, 1671 pages

Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we investigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European and Chinese unsustainable and non-recyclable plastic markets, specifically those used for the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We explore exogenous economic and commodity price impacts on polypropylene, acrylonitrile and polyvinyl-chloride, via VECM and Granger causality analysis, with the results remaining robust under testing. We find that price shocks from rubber and EUROSTOXX are significantly correlated with PPE materials, to a greater extent than crude oil, unexpectedly relating price declines in PPE materials to factors beyond medical demand. This will aid a policymakers and industry understand the factors that affect the price of unsustainable and non-recyclable PPE materials, respond to the need for pandemic PPE provision and reduce the potential environmental impact of future pandemics.

Keywords: Pandemics; PPE; Plastics; Polymers; Sustainability; Commodity markets; VECM; Causal Inference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C32 I10 L65 Q02 Q31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10640-024-00870-1

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