About 26,000 tonnes of plastic Covid waste pollutes world’s oceans – study

Increased demand for PPE has put pressure on an already out-of-control global problem, report finds

Plastic waste from the Covid-19 pandemic weighing 25,900 tonnes, equivalent to more than 2,000 double decker buses, has leaked into the ocean, research has revealed.

The mismanaged plastic waste, consisting of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves, vastly exceeded the capability of countries to process it properly, researchers said.