As the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos around the world, the question remains of how to ensure face mask disposal is environmentally friendly. As covid-19 waste (including masks, gloves and other PPE) increases, the issue becomes all the more prevalent.Â
Medical face coverings have long been worn in the community in some countries, like China and Japan, or in clinical settings. But in recent months, since the Covid-19 pandemic, face coverings have boomed in worldwide popularity.
Throughout the past year, face masks have become one of the most prominent symbols of the coronavirus pandemic, both on our faces and, according to experts, in pollution scattered across the planet’s beaches, streets and bodies of water. OceansAsia, a nonprofit marine conservation advocacy organization, recently conducted research about how many single-use face masks are likely to have entered the world’s oceans in 2020. Overall, the organization estimates that more than 1.5 billion face masks entered oceans in 2020, resulting in an additional 4,680 to 6,240 metric tons (about 5,160 to 6,880 U.S. tons) of marine plastic pollution.
When single-use masks are not disposed of properly, they pose an environmental risk, said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research for OceansAsia. Single-use face masks — both the disposable kind the general public wears and medical-grade surgical masks — are often made with polypropylene plastic. When that plastic breaks up into smaller pieces, it can take as long as 450 years to decompose, Phelps Bondaroff said. And while reusable cloth face masks are a more eco-friendly option, disposable masks are both an acceptable face covering, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and CDC-recommended for double masking.
Experts recommend how to properly dispose of single-use face masks, and explain why they’re having harmful effects on the environment.
How can you dispose of a mask safely?
Last April, the INDIA government issued guidance on how to dispose of covid waste safely. They advised PPE should be thrown out with the household waste, in a rubbish bag, sealed with a second rubbish bag. The outside bag should be secured tightly and kept away from other people’s waste.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) advised on masks specifically: advising removal from behind (do not touch the front of the mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; wash hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) advises used items ‘cannot be recycled’ in your standard home, or workplace recycling bins. They also state that anyone with symptoms should store their waste for 72 hours before putting it in communal areas or bins.
The process involves the collection of materials via their waste box that contains a 97% Recycled LDPE liner; this allows for double containment. Once collected the boxes are held for a minimum 72hr COVID quarantine period. Once inspected, the bag liners are removed and the contents pre-shredded. The box is recycled to a new packaging media, and the liner sent for processing back into their next batch of bags. The Facemask and PPE material, once shredded, is sent to a blending area where it is combined with a mixture of polymers from ocean cleans, verge cleans, food and cosmetic wastes. Lastly, the materials are bonded into a board at high temperature (230 degrees C) the board can then be placed back into use or made into a new product on site.
For individuals who are not required to change masks regularly, the most eco-friendly option is a reusable mask. Machine washable masks are widely available online and are ideal for minimising the environmental impact. Health experts recommend having more than one mask and washing reusable masks after each use.
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