Greener PPE: Inventors tackle Covid-19 plastic waste mountain

London: From surgical masks and gloves to disposable hospital gowns and aprons, the COVID-19 pandemic is creating a mountain of plastic medical waste that is polluting the land and sea - alarming doctors and environmentalists alike.

One young entrepreneur in Mexico has now invented a range of reusable PPE (personal protective equipment) she hopes will stop tonnes of single-use medical wear ending up in landfill, incinerators and waterways - and save hospitals a fortune. Tamara Chayo said disposable PPE not only caused environmental damage, but could spread the virus which survives up to three days on plastics - a particular concern in countries where medical waste management is poor.