To date, there have been 2.2 million deaths due to Covid-19 worldwide. That is about 11 per cent of the total deaths in World War One.

The pandemic has created an overwhelming demand for medical treatment in hospitals, necessitating such institutions to have enough personal protection equipment (PPE) supply. There is also demand for PPE among enforcers and civilians.

PPE, such as gloves, face masks, face shields and coveralls, are used in the medical sector to prevent Covid-19 transmission. The protective gear are also being used for the same purpose by cashiers, petrol station workers, flight attendants, customer service employees and security guards.

Many food handlers cover their products with more plastic than usual to protect them from being exposed to the virus. However, the increased use of polymer-based PPE will jeopardise the environment.

As used PPE are considered biohazards, the local authorities are regulating their disposal in the medical sector, as well as among enforcers. However, the issue of PPE disposal and polymer waste handling among civilians is a dire one.

Recently, we received reports of microplastics found in marine life carcasses and an unborn baby’s placenta. These show our negligence towards the environment and poor plastic waste handling. For example, used face masks and plastic gloves are being discarded haphazardly in landfills and public areas.

The pandemic emphasised the crucial role of PPE and plastic in our daily life. However, these items are creating the distressing issue of waste accumulation. Accumulated PPE waste could be infected with Covid-19 and potentially cause cross-contamination, boosting the infection rate.

Without proper domestic waste handling, the world will continue to face critical environmental and health issues. At this stage, we are striving to deal with the impending surge in the volume of plastic and PPE waste arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

This matter threatens our plastic waste management and medical care capabilities. The compulsory implementation of using (disposable) face masks in public areas will create more contaminated waste and harm the environment.

The use or purchase of plastic-based items, such as bottled water and straws, are also contributing to the problem. People who prefer not to share drinking from the same bottle with others generate more plastic waste, especially if these are not disposed of/recycled properly.

The Covid-19 situation may ease once the vaccine is distributed to the public. However, its indirect environmental impacts are vast, long-term and maybe more lethal.

All parties must make a great effort to create a plan for a more promising future for the environment while flattening the Covid-19 infection rate.

Otherwise, we might one day wake up to a large pile of contaminated plastic waste in our backyard.