Introduction

From masks and face shields through at-home tests and sanitizer bottles, many of the tools we used to keep safe during the global COVID-19 pandemic had two things in common: first, they were at least in part made of plastic, and second, they were disposable. But what was the fate of all of the plastics that we used throughout the pandemic, and how has the management of plastic waste changed in the COVID years? This book showcases the research findings and to unravel the current scenario of plastic pollution due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and goes on to report innovative ways to mitigate increasing plastic pollution beyond personal protective equipment (PPE). Through twelve chapters, this volume offers a cutting-edge overview the impact of COVID-19-associated plastic pollution in environmental and economic terms. It also analyzes the effects of plastic waste on human health.