During the COVID-19 pandemic, having food delivered to one's doorstep has become the norm for many Singaporeans. While this has brought much convenience to consumers, it came at a (1)  to the environment.During the two-month circuit breaker period, consumers could (2)  longer dine out like they used to. Instead, many (3)  to takeaway meals and food delivery services for their meals. This led to an increase in the use of plastic items (4)  cutlery and takeaway containers. Unfortunately, these items are not so (5)  recyclable. In fact, the process is so difficult that many of them are discarded as plastic waste.Singaporeans were encouraged to use reusable containers, cups and bags to (6)  down on plastic waste but the pandemic has put many Singaporeans (7)  a dilemma. For example, some Singaporeans felt uncomfortable when they saw personal containers being placed next to disposable ones at hawker centres (8)  of hygiene concems. As a result, single-use plastic items became the preferred (9)  for many people as they believed them to be more hygienic.(10)  to this view, recent research has shown that well-washed reusable containers are safe to use as the coronavirus (11)  be killed with regular dish soap and sanitization. Spurred (12)  by such assurances, more people have (13)  using these reusable containers again. In fact, environmental activists are hoping that when more people start to cultivate such habits, using reusable cutlery and containers would become (14)  nature for all.Though some may find it challenging to be environmentally-friendly, we should (15)  in mind the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the long run. Our commitment to protect the environment must certainly be steadfast and unwavering.