COVID-19 Waste Calculator

A standard single-use surgical or N95 mask is made of polypropylene plastic and takes approximately 450 years to decompose in the environment. This makes improper disposal of masks a serious long-term pollution problem for oceans and ecosystems.

According to a study published in Environmental Science and Technology, approximately 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are disposed of every month worldwide. This staggering volume represents one of the most significant pandemic-related environmental impacts.

Yes, significantly. Reusable fabric masks can be washed and worn many times, dramatically reducing plastic waste compared to daily single-use disposables. Switching even 50% of your mask use to reusable options can cut your mask-related plastic waste in half.

Washing hands with water and soap generates far less plastic waste than relying on bottled hand sanitizer, since soap bars have minimal plastic packaging. Bottled sanitizer adds up quickly — a household using sanitizer multiple times daily can consume dozens of plastic bottles per year. When both options are available, soap and water is the more eco-friendly choice.

Masks that enter waterways break down into microplastics over decades, which are ingested by marine wildlife. The elastic ear loops also pose an entanglement risk to birds, fish, and other animals. Environmental groups have reported finding masks washed up on beaches and tangled in coral reefs worldwide.

The most effective strategies include switching to washable reusable masks, choosing soap and water over bottled sanitizer when possible, buying sanitizer in bulk refill containers, and properly disposing of PPE in sealed bags before binning — never littering or flushing. Some communities also offer PPE recycling programs.

Health authorities including the WHO and CDC noted that disposable gloves do not necessarily provide better protection than regular hand washing, and can create a false sense of security. Frequent handwashing with soap is generally more effective and far less wasteful than single-use plastic gloves for everyday activities.

The calculator uses average weights commonly cited in environmental research: a standard surgical mask weighs approximately 3–4 grams of polypropylene, a pair of disposable gloves weighs about 5–8 grams, a disinfectant wipe is around 2 grams, and a 250ml sanitizer bottle (empty) weighs roughly 15–20 grams. These are averaged estimates and may vary by brand and product type.