PPE for Covid-19 and the Environment

Environment

PPE has been a crucial component in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV2 and COVID 19. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the number of people who are wearing protective equipment, such as masks and gloves. This increased usage has caused them get dirty or lost before their time – much like how Fashion victims often end up with torn clothing after a night out clubbing!

Researchers from United Nations Environment programme studied recycling habits across 11 countries including Ireland where they found that 84 times more PPE was collected for recycling preCOVID 19 levels compared postpandemic period when there were large increases reported around Europe (especially Italy).

The Solution: Proper Disposal and Reusable PPE

The improper disposal of personal protection equipment can lead to a variety of negative impacts including but not limited too:

  • environment contamination  (e.g., littering) & infrastructure damage
  • injury or illness from contacting hazardous materials found on old clothing/equipment that may have been used during working hours without being properly cleaned between uses
  • littered PPE can cause SARS-CoV2 to spread easily
  • clogs sewage systems, polluting streams and rivers with its remains as well. The slippery surface of these pieces makes them hazardous for animals too

If you find yourself surrounded by clutter don’t forget about the potential dangers first hand when trying to remove your own personal protection equipment (PPE).

5 Small Things You Can Do For The Environment

Environment

While everyone is talking big about protecting the environment, we, on the other hand, can do some small things for the environment. And these small things, when done simultaneously can make a huge difference.

1. Bring your own washable cup

When you need a coffee, you can always bring with you your tumbler or your own cup at the coffee shop. You can even use it in your office pantry so that you don’t have to use those throwable cups and plastic cups.

2. There are still some good ones in leftovers.

Open up bottles of shampoo and cut out toothpaste tubes. You will be surprised that there’s still more to use at the bottom. Old bar soaps are still usable to the end, stick it to the new one and it still becomes usable. Old clothes can still be recycled to cleaning rags and torn clothes can be sewn.

3. Keep the electric outlet free of plugs when not in use

You might as well remove the plug out of the electric outlet. It still consumes power while it remains plugged in. Turn off your gas stoves. Turn off the lights during the daytime. Keeping watch on this can save you some money with electric consumption.

4. Don’t ignore it, trash it out properly

There’s a candy wrapper on the street, pieces of paper on the drain, plastic at the playground, and other trash here and there. Do care for the environment. Have the goodwill to pick it up and put it in its proper waste bin.

5. bring your own bag when shopping

Imagine how many plastic bags you can save from clogging the drain? Having your own bag while shopping saves you all of the plastic used for packaging.

These are just a few things you can do. But if everyone does the same thing, what a wonderful world we could be living in.