“The fight against plastic pollution is being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the use of disposable masks, gloves and other protective equipment soars…” sources say.
The story of plastic pollution’s effects with Covid-19 makes our story so complicated. Pollution has already been a worldwide problem before the rise of the Coronavirus, and with the sudden use of these products, it has made the situation much worse. The promotion of using materials such as disposable face masks and gloves to slow the spread of this virus has also lead to an increase in production. Which then has resulted with attention pointed to the issue of plastic pollution. The problem is that these masks and gloves have been finding their ways to our rivers and oceans.
“[A]round 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas.”
Take a look at the picture below (taken from another source), displaying the masks and gloves found floating around the waters.
If you are using disposable masks and gloves for protection against Covid-19— use them responsibly; make sure they end up in the right place; and keep yourself safe while caring for your environment.
“[M]odels project that by 2050, there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the oceans.”