Environmental Footprint for the Accumulation of Plastic Waste During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This chapter examines the environmental consequencesEnvironmental consequences of excessive usage and improper disposal of plastics during the COVID-19 pandemicCovid-19 pandemic. The significant ecological impacts of plastic pollutionPlastic pollution during this period resulted from the high demand for single-use plasticsSingle-Use Plasticsand personal protective equipmentPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) (PPE), the increased production of medical wasteMedical waste, and the prioritization of incinerationIncinerationand landfillingLandfilling. With the commencement of vaccination campaigns, the issue of generating plastic-based medical and household wasteHousehold waste has further intensified. It is recommended that appropriate strategies for managing plastic waste, encompassing comprehensive and step-by-step approaches that involve adequate sorting, sanitization activities, proper technological intervention, and process optimization be implemented. In conclusion, pivotal solutions and recommendations such as the adoption of bioplasticsBioplastics and the substitution of fossil-fuel-based plasticsFossil-fuel-based plastics with biodegradable or compostable materialsCompostable materials could be utilized in future scenarios.