kertakäytössä

Kertakäytössä refers to the Finnish concept of single-use or disposable items. This encompasses a wide range of products designed for a single application before being discarded. Examples include disposable packaging, single-serving food containers, disposable cutlery, paper towels, disposable masks, and certain medical supplies. The primary advantages of kertakäytössä items are their convenience and hygiene, as they eliminate the need for cleaning and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

However, the widespread use of kertakäytössä products raises significant environmental concerns. The production of these items consumes resources and energy, and their disposal often contributes to landfill waste and pollution, particularly plastic waste. This has led to increasing efforts to reduce reliance on single-use items, promoting reusable alternatives, and developing more sustainable materials and recycling processes. Many jurisdictions are implementing regulations to limit or ban certain types of single-use products to mitigate their environmental impact. The shift towards a circular economy aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency, challenging the convenience-driven model of kertakäytössä.