This article discusses the positive and negative indirect effects of COVID-19 on the environment, specifically in the most affected countries. Through the implementation of public health policies to combat the spread of the virus, many of the main economic activities have decreased considerably. Power plants and industrial facilities have halted their production and the use of transportation has significantly reduced. These factors have led to a dramatic reduction in the concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter in the environment. With social distancing protocols, many beaches around the world have become cleaner due to the reduction of waste generated by tourists. On the other hand, the pandemic has brought many negative indirect effects on the environment. Several cities have suspended recycling programs and repealed disposable bag programs because of the increased risk of spreading the virus. The combination of recycling and reusable bag bans and the increase in online shopping for home delivery has significantly increased domestic waste, both organic and inorganic. Additionally, medical waste is on the rise as a result of increased use of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves. In fact, hospitals in Wuhan had “produced an average of 240 metric tons of medical waste per day during the outbreak, compared to their previous average of fewer than 50 tons.” While the pandemic has been associated with both positive and negative impacts on the environment, it is important to recognize what will happen with the return of global economic activity.
