Impactos ambientales por residuos sólidos generados durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y alternativas de solución

In March 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared; one of the recommendations was the use of face masks. As a result, the production and generation of protective equipment waste increased. The objective of this work was to analyze and summarize information regarding the environmental impacts caused by the solid waste generated during the pandemic; and to present research with alternative solutions. Scientific search engines were used with keywords in Spanish and English. It was found that marine ecosystems are the most affected, as the protective equipment is made from non-degradable polymers, which turn into microplastics, affecting flora, fauna, and dragging other contaminants. Alternative solutions include the use of organisms for the biodegradation of these wastes and the use of biodegradable materials for the manufacture of protective equipment. It can be concluded that one of the main problems of improper waste disposal is the lack of environmental education among authorities and the general population. It is also important for the government to establish waste management plans. It can be recognized then that the post-pandemic demands interdisciplinary work from the fields of health, social, environmental, and political areas.