Analysis of Hazardous Plastic Waste Generated During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wearing habits of face masks in Lithuania during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, disposable face masks have begun to be used as a precautionary measure to slow down the spread of the virus. This led to an unprecedented increase in the production of personal protective equipment and, unfortunately, a new form of environmental pollution due to improper disposal. This survey allows us to better analyze a new potential source of pollution in Lithuania and evaluate the amount of hazardous plastic waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this survey, we used questionnaire method, and the results of the study were evaluated statistically using the program Statistica. The sample of this survey is representative and reached amount of randomly selected 1753 respondents. It was found that individuals who most often wore masks where they are mandatory. Often the respondent who purchased medical masks does not know if they are certified, most often the masks are purchased at the pharmacy and are usually changed after each working day. The results obtained speak of a lack of information on how masks should be disposed, and they are thrown together with household waste into a container of mixed municipal waste. Results show that 2 million adult residents living in Lithuania during the pandemic period potentially generated about 15.24 tons of hazardous plastic waste. If all residents would use one disposable mask, about 5.5 tons of plastic waste would be generated per day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so many used disposable face masks are released uncontrollably into the environment, as most users have little information on how to dispose of them safely.