During the COVID-19 pandemic, plastic items like disposable masks, gloves and other protective equipment have become very popular, but these items are very bad for the environment. Sadly, 75 per cent of the used disposable masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills or floating in the seas, and the potential consequences include health risks from infected used masks or the open burning or uncontrolled incineration of masks. This, unfortunately, leads to the release of toxins into the environment and to secondary transmissions of diseases to humans. Even if disposable masks are helpful now, in the long run, they will damage our planet so please wear reusable masks.