PPE Litter Is Damaging Wildlife Populations

The coronavirus pandemic is harming wildlife populations – not from the virus itself, but litter from all the PPE gear.

Experts say discarded PPE items like disposable masks and latex gloves are killing animals, who try to eat them or end up entangled.

Some creatures even use the items to build their homes. Some researchers estimate that as many as 1.6 billion facemasks are littering the oceans.

One small thing you can do to help?  ‘Snip the straps’ and cut the strings of a facemask before discarding it.

Waste from lifesaving personal protective equipment is killing birds, fish & other wildlife across the globe… https://t.co/B7TA75FZwW

— Minnesota Wildlife (@MinnWildlife) March 31, 2021