The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the environment, in both positive and negative ways. The globally enforced lockdowns ultimately led to significant reductions in air, water, and noise pollution, letting nature heal during the lack of human activities. Various regions throughout the world experienced cleaner air and water and reduced noise. Many places even observed the resurgence of wildlife in urban regions. But these boons were countered by some unwanted environmental effects too. To begin with, there was a surge in plastic and biomedical waste, driven by the extensive use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), diagnostic kits, and single-use plastics. Critical shortcomings in waste management systems came to light during the pandemic, where insufficient segregation, recycling, and disposal practices contributed to the environmental challenges. The positive, negative, and unexpected effects of the pandemic on the environment are presented in this chapter, along with sustainable strategies to reduce the risk of future pandemic impacts.