As a newly-minted ocean scientist, I feel concerned just how much we rely on "sterile" being "single-use disposable plastic." I understand we need to use the tools we have right now to get us through this but an entire medical industry based on plastics is simply not sustainable.

Don& #39;t get me wrong, plastics are a miracle of modern science and as we& #39;re witnessing, seemingly essential to keeping people alive in emergency situations. I think we need to develop better post-use procedures other than landfill. Or worse, ending up in the ocean.

We need a concerted, dedicated research program for actual recycling or energy production from post-consumer, post-medical plastics than we have today. Or plastics engineered to degrade quickly and gracefully after use. The current situation is making this painfully clear.