During the coronavirus epidemic, the prevalence of face masks skyrocketed, and in several places around the world, they even became mandatory.
Now, research has warned of the effects of this global increase in single-use plastic on animals.
Researchers from Dalhousie University scoured social media sites for images of animals entangled in face masks and disposable gloves.
Between April 2020 and December 2021, the team logged 114 events in 23 nations, the vast majority of which involved birds.
In their paper, the researchers wrote, “It is vital that we find chances to strengthen our waste management infrastructure so that we can prevent similar leakages during future pandemics.”
Masks, disposable gloves, testing kits, and hygiene wipes were frequently utilized to prevent the transmission of the disease as part of personal protection equipment (PPE) during the pandemic.
During the pandemic, 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves were worn per month, according to estimates.
Without a suitable waste disposal system, however, a significant amount of this PPE ended up as litter.
The researchers noted, “With their ubiquitous presence in the ecosystem, these things offer a direct hazard to wildlife, as animals can engage with them in a variety of ways.”
The objective of the study was to determine the scope of the problem.
The team combed through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to determine if they might use social media channels to acquire images of animals entangled in PPE.
From April 2020 to December 2021, the team reported a total of 114 occurrences of animals injured by PPE debris in 23 countries.
The most frequently recorded species were all bird species: mute swan, herring gull, Australian white ibis, red kits, and Eurasian coot.
The eastern grey squirrel was the most frequently observed mammal entangled in PPE, followed by the European hedgehog and red fox.
Of the 114 observations, nine dead individuals were found in direct contact with PPE.
The United States had the greatest number of sightings (29), followed by England (16), Canada (13), Australia (11), and the Netherlands (10).
The researchers believe that their findings would inspire authorities to enhance existing PPE waste management procedures.
Despite the end of mask mandates in various places of the world, the billions of disposable pandemic-related waste items that were mismanaged during COVID-19 will persist in our terrestrial and aquatic environments for decades,” they said.
Therefore, it is vital to learn from this occurrence and evaluate the complete damage that plastic debris from the pandemic has had on our world fauna and ecosystems.
We must explore ways to enhance our waste management infrastructure to prevent similar leaks during future pandemics.
A recent study predicted that over 25,000 tonnes of PPE and other types of Covid-related plastic debris have entered the world’s waters.
Californian researchers have created a computer model that simulates the fate of plastic garbage as it leaves beaches, floats along the water, and fragments.
They anticipate that 193 nations generated 8,4 million tonnes of plastic garbage connected to the epidemic between the beginning of the pandemic and August 2021.
The model predicts that nearly three-quarters, or 71%, will wash up on beaches by the end of the year.
According to the researchers, the majority of the offending Covid-related plastic comes from medical waste generated by hospitals, which “dwarfs” the contribution from PPE and packaging from online retail giants such as Amazon and eBay.
COVID-19 WASTE AND SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS
- Hand Sanitiser versus Soap
Global demand for hand sanitizer has been high in 2020, yet the 70% alcohol gel that kills bacteria and viruses (including COVID-19) typically comes in a plastic bottle.
Consider washing your hands with a bar of soap and warm water to limit your plastic consumption.
Soap bars are frequently available in completely biodegradable packaging, reducing their environmental effect significantly compared to hand sanitizer.
Alternatively, opting for refillable liquid soap would help you to cut your plastic consumption without big lifestyle adjustments.
The government asserts that hand washing is as beneficial as a hand sanitizer in minimizing the chance of becoming ill, and recommends that you adhere to this recommendation.
- Disposable Masks Versus Washable Masks
Scientists at UCL predict that if every individual in the United Kingdom used a single-use mask every day for a year, we would produce 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic trash and 10 times greater impact on climate change than if we used reusable masks.
Single-use protective wear, such as masks and gloves, are considered contaminated objects in a hospital setting, and there are protocols in place for their safe disposal, which include segregation and cremation.
The maximum level of protection against COVID-19 infection is provided by surgical grade N95 respirators, followed by surgical grade masks.
However, evidence suggests that reusable masks serve the majority of the functions of single-use masks without contributing to waste.
Material, reusable masks are an excellent eco-friendly option if they are washed after each usage.
3. Plastic versus Material Bags
In October 2015, the British government enacted new restrictions on the usage of plastic bags.
Since then, there have been fewer plastic bags in the United Kingdom.
As a result of the coronavirus, however, more individuals are using disposable bags, and several states in the United States have outright banned reusable bags.
While it is unclear how long COVID-19 can survive on clothing, Vincent Munster of the National Institutes of Health told the BBC that the NIH hypothesizes that it “dries out swiftly” on porous textiles.
Instead of discarding reusable bags, it is recommended that they be washed frequently and that everybody who comes into contact with them similarly wash their hands.
4. Comparing Coffee Cups with Reusables
In recent years, coffee cups have become a major target for plastic-free activists.
With the easing of lockdown restrictions and the reopening of coffee shops, however, many are resorting to disposable coffee cups to lessen the danger of getting the virus.
Due to safety concerns, several prominent coffee businesses that previously accepted reusable coffee cups have discontinued their use.
Despite popular fears, more than 100 scientists, physicians, and academics have endorsed the safe and improbable contribution of reusable containers to the spread of COVID-19.
Warm water and soap should be used to fully clean reusable cups.
- Takeout pint glasses as opposed to #PlasticFreePints
As bars reopened on the weekend, several switched to plastic cups to facilitate takeaway orders and eliminate the need for employees to touch old glasses.
Similar to reusable coffee cups, if completely cleansed, a reusable glass or tumbler could be a simple, sustainable alternative to help mitigate the growing coronavirus waste issue.
Ours to Save, a worldwide climate news platform, and EcoDisco, a sustainable events provider, have established the #PlasticFreePints effort to urge pub-goers to use reusable alternatives rather than the standard single-use plastic offered.
