Elsevier established a COVID-19 resource centre in 2020 offering free information on the virus in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for its research to be freely shared in public repositories. A study examines the indirect environmental effects of COVID-19, highlighting both positive and negative impacts. Positive effects include reduced air pollution, cleaner beaches, and lower environmental noise due to social distancing measures. Negative effects include increased waste and reduced recycling, as well as the temporary decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is not sustainable. The study notes that while air quality improved in many countries, the reduction in GHG emissions is temporary and not a long-term solution. The pandemic also led to increased domestic and medical waste, and some countries restricted recycling programs. The study concludes that the negative environmental impacts of the pandemic are likely to be greater than the positive ones, and that the virus crisis brings other long-term environmental challenges if the impact on the environment is not addressed.Elsevier established a COVID-19 resource centre in 2020 offering free information on the virus in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for its research to be freely shared in public repositories. A study examines the indirect environmental effects of COVID-19, highlighting both positive and negative impacts. Positive effects include reduced air pollution, cleaner beaches, and lower environmental noise due to social distancing measures. Negative effects include increased waste and reduced recycling, as well as the temporary decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is not sustainable. The study notes that while air quality improved in many countries, the reduction in GHG emissions is temporary and not a long-term solution. The pandemic also led to increased domestic and medical waste, and some countries restricted recycling programs. The study concludes that the negative environmental impacts of the pandemic are likely to be greater than the positive ones, and that the virus crisis brings other long-term environmental challenges if the impact on the environment is not addressed.