Potential Environmental Impacts of the Use and Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical step in preventing the spread of COVID 19. It is a relatively new phenomenon in many countries, including Sri Lanka. However, used PPE is classified as hazardous waste due to the possibility of pathogen contamination, and the majority of them are made of PET, making them non-biodegradable waste. This study estimated the daily disposal of PPE waste and gathered data on the disposal techniques used by people, ultimately estimating the environmental impact of this newly added waste stream. Data collection was solely based on a questionnaire circulated online. Almost 12 million face masks, 0.2 million gloves, and 0.3 million face shields are used in a single day in Sri Lanka. In addition, as empty sanitizer bottles, 0.7 million PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are discarded. The estimated annual climate change impact of PPE use across the country was nearly 100 kT CO2 eq. Open burning is the most common method of disposal for face masks and gloves used by households; nearly half of all used face masks and gloves are burned. Transferring waste to municipal solid waste collections also results in waste ending up in open dumps with other waste. As a result of the toxins released into the air during open burning and the release of microplastics during photovoltaic degradation, PPE disposal practices in Sri Lanka have a massive environmental and public health impact. Nevertheless, PPE can be used to generate energy through incineration or pyrolysis, reducing environmental impacts while providing economic benefits if proper plans and policies are in place.