Review of personal protective equipment and their associated wastes, life-cycle and effective management during the Covid-19 pandemic in developing nations

Plastics have become vital assets for humanity; these materials are used widely in pharmaceuticals, healthcare systems, and many other applications. The rising demand and uses of articles made wholly or partly from synthetic polymers, coupled with their non-biodegradability, contributes to the massive volume of plastic wastes across cities in most developing nations. Thistrend has become an issue of significant environmental concern. However, the fight against COVID-19 would look almost impossible without personal protective equipment (PPE) primarily made from various plastics which in turn, contribute enormously to the volume of waste streams. To circumvent this present challenge, research has been recommending solutions. The existing literature primarily focuses on the most developed countries, emphasising Asian countries with less attention to other developing countries like Nigeria and African countries. This study, therefore, reviewed the personal protective equipment used in healthcare, plastic types employed for their production, and the appropriate technology for managing their associated wastes. The application of proper disposal methods can reduce the toxic effects of discarded plastics on human health and the environment. In this review, the SWOT analysis approach was employed to unveil the benefits, limitations, opportunities, and threats associated with respective waste management approaches. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to intensifier, its adverse impacts on human health and the economy are increasing; authorities are encouraged to address waste management, including medical, household, and other hazardous waste, as an urgent and critical public service to minimize potential secondary health and environmental impacts.