The Environmental Impact of COVID-19: A Surge in Disposable Mask Waste, Requiring 450 Years to Decompose

Single-use mask waste has increased and become a new problem since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is because this waste is listed as one of the most difficult types of waste to decompose, even taking hundreds of years.

Not only single-use mask waste, but also single-use diaper waste, plastic bottles, batteries, and cigarette butts fall into the category of waste that is not easily decomposed. Here is a breakdown of how long it takes for various items to decompose.

1. Single-use Masks

Single-use masks take up to 450 years to decompose. Mask waste that remains intact in the environment due to improper handling can be carried into rivers and seas, causing water pollution.

2. Single-use Diapers

Single-use baby diapers are estimated to decompose in landfills in 450 years. The need for baby diapers continues to increase, considering that babies will use diapers until the age of 2 or 2.5 years.

3. Plastic Bottles

It takes up to 450 years for plastic bottles to decompose. The difficulty in decomposing plastic bottle waste causes waste accumulation and results in pollution in the sea.

4. Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans take up to 200 years to fully decompose in nature. In the United States, 120,000 aluminum cans are recycled every day.

5. Batteries

Batteries are one of the most dangerous items to leave in landfills. The outer part of the battery, which is made of thin metal, will decompose in 100 years.

6. Styrofoam Cups

Styrofoam is made of polystyrene, a type of plastic derived from petroleum. Styrofoam cups take 50 years to decompose.

7. Plastic Bags

Shopping plastic bags are one of the most dominant types of waste in society. Changes in behavior during the pandemic, which increased online shopping, also contributed to the proliferation of plastic bags. Plastic bags take up to 20 years to decompose.

8. Cigarette Butts

Most cigarette filters, the part that looks like white cotton, are actually made of plastic fibers. This is what makes cigarette butts take 10 years to decompose.

(Read More: [Majority of National Waste from Household Activities in 2020](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2021/07/29/mayoritas-sampah-nasional-dari-aktivitas-rumah-tangga-pada-2020))