Export of COVID 19 PPE Wastes from Land to Coasts in Macajalar Bay, Philippines

The pandemic resulted in the unregulated disposal of COVID 19 PPE wastes to the environment, exacerbating the plastic pollution problem. The export of COVID 19 PPE wastes from land towards the coastal marine environment is minimally studied, particularly in the tropical regions. In this study, facemasks, faceshields, and box packaging were assessed in the highly urbanized area of Cagayan de Oro City adjacent to Macajalar Bay, Philippines. Exploratory sampling locations were identified like the city's major access roadsides, bridges/waterways, and coastal beaches. Findings showed that facemask had the highest count in all roadside assessment. The same findings were recorded in the city bridges. Coastal beach assessment showed the highest count of faceshield and facemask, which were similarly correlated to the ones found in major access roadsides. Thus, COVID 19 PPE wastes were possibly exported from land to coasts and that future waste management policies must integrate this waste type.