In many public spaces around the world, using a face masks are now a legal necessity. But even before they were mandatory, masks created problems with litter on land and at sea. Covid-19 pandemic not only bring risk on everyone's health but it also bring risk in our environment. The high demand and usage of face mask and other personal protective equipment also helps to increase the waste of the world. There has been no clarification on how to properly dispose of or recycle them, despite millions of individuals being told to use face masks. And as countries start lifting lockdown restrictions, globally, billions of masks will be required every month. An environmental catastrophe is looming without better disposal practices. Most masks are made from long-lasting plastic materials and can stay in the atmosphere for decades to hundreds of years if discarded. This means that they can affect the world and people in a variety of ways.
Dangerous to humans and animals
Initially, discarded masks can be at risk of coronavirus spreading to waste collectors, litter pickers or public representatives who first come across the litter. We know that the virus will live on a plastic surgical mask for seven days under some circumstances.
Animals and plants are also affected over the medium to long term. Plastic waste, by its sheer mass, can smother oceans and break up habitats. Also, certain animals do not say the difference between plastic objects and their prey, coughing on bits of litter afterwards.
Even if they do not choke, as the items fill their stomachs but have no nutrients, animals will become malnourished. When they begin to split apart, smaller animals can even become entangled in the elastic inside the masks or within gloves.
Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller parts, and the longer litter remains in the area, the more it can decompose. Second, plastics break down into microplastics and finally into nanoplastics that are much smaller. These small particles and fibers are mostly polymers that are long-lived and can accumulate in food chains.
Millions of particles can be generated by just one mask, each with the potential to also bring chemicals and bacteria up the food chain and potentially even into humans.
Littered areas often appear to facilitate more littering, worsening the problem.
We should take these steps to reduce the effect of wearing a face mask with all of this in mind:
Using reusable masks without filters that are disposable. Following the fabric instructions, the computer washes them daily.
Try to bring a spare one, so you don't have to use or purchase a disposable mask if anything goes wrong with the one you're wearing.
Take it home (maybe in a bag if you have to take it off) if you need to use a disposable mask, and then throw it straight into a bin with a lid. Place it in a proper public bin, if this is not possible.
Do not recycle plastic masks. They can get stuck in the recycling equipment of specialists and be a possible biohazard for waste workers.
Don't litter them with anything that you do!