Face masks, gloves and other pandemic waste are harming wildlife

Biologists Hiemstra from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Rambonnet of Leiden University were among the first to research the impact of the pandemic's health gear waste on nature. Photo: Alexander Schippers/dpa

Littering was long an environmental problem before the pandemic. But even though many people have been stuck at home a lot recently due to lockdowns and contact restrictions, the fight against Covid-19 has not necessarily reduced the strain our consumerism puts on the environment.

From disposable face masks to plastic gloves, researchers have found that the items used to protect humans against the coronavirus can become fatal for wild animals.