The COVID-19 crisis has forced people across the world to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable masks and gloves. But the waste created by these disposable items is having larger implications for the environment. In some respects, the pandemic has hindered the war on plastic waste. If we take the example of the UK, an estimated 1,500 tonnes of facemasks and gloves are being thrown away each month. Dr Marco Aurisicchio is a co-lead at the Ocean Plastic Network. He says that "it’s been quite a shock to see how PPE has been impacting our society. We find it on the road and everywhere. During the lockdown, it's been really rare that I’ve not come across PPE in the grass".