According to an article by South China Morning Post, an estimated 129 billion disposable masks and 65 billion gloves are used around the world every month. Waste management is becoming a growing challenge around the world, and particularly for Asian cities dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

#breakfreefromplastic Global Coordinator Von Hernandez said, “While we recognise that there are situations which warrant the use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPEs), there is also increasing recognition of their long-term impacts. Cases of infection via surface transmission remain unproven, but the plastics industry has been quick to capitalise on public fears to justify the increasing use of single-use plastics.”