Disposable Mask Problem
Since the beginning, I have only used cloth masks that can be washed and worn again, and again. In the first place, I am incredibly frugal (some say cheap, but I say frugal). I don't want to pay for something that gets thrown away. (Same goes for paper plates and such.)
In the second place, and even more important, is the mountains of trash that are created every day with so many people world wide wearing disposable masks and protective gear. This is not about medical workers, this is about everyday people trying to protect themselves and others.
I read an article on Japan Today about what is happening with all these disposable masks. According to the American Chemical Society, around 129 billion disposable masks are being used every month around the world. Masks are made of polypropylene plastic material, elastic, and metal and are heading for the landfills, in addition to littering streets, rivers, and oceans where they can harm wildlife.
Researchers and companies are looking for ways to put used masks to good use. The problem is that so far it is not profitable. It's difficult to disinfect and remove the plastic from the other parts of the mask. There are some companies working to give new life to what is now trash. In Australia, researchers want to transform single use masks into road material. In the US, they are being recycled into benches. In France they are being turned into floor carpet in cars.
I haven't heard of anything being done here in Japan. What do you know or have you heard about all these disposable masks where you live?
12 comments:
The surgical masks can be reused,at least once or twice, according to an article on the web written by some doctor of epidemiology.If I remember correctly, she advised to put the used mask in a natural paper sandwich bag and leave it there for a few days. When you take it out, it's refreshed and usable.Anyway, you can look for info about use of disposable masks on the internet.
I haven't heard of anything here, you have e heard more than me. I know here there has been a call to cut the elastic on the disposable masks as they are getting tangled on the feet of birds and causing the birds to die. I guess the birds fins them in all kinds of places.
I use a double mask. Paper and cloth over. It is discouraging to see discarded masks on the ground. And discouraging to read about the waste.
With you all the way on disposables - we have a 'wardrobe' of cloth masks so that there are always plenty of spares. So sad to see masks dropped in car parks and around the streets. Lets hope that good use can be made of the discarded masks. Great cake! xx
I haven't heard anything from Sweden about mask waste or plans for recycling. I have to use disposable masks in the clinic, but privately I use washable masks.
Pamela: I hate that mask's are on the ground left in public rest rooms and any other place people feel the need to just dump their trash, it is a shame that this is happening, I wear a shield this is something I can wash and wear again.
That cake is so cute, is it your birthday? just curious.
Catherine
I wish they could find good ways to handle that. I wear cloth too, though I do have some from the doc that have that layer of covering on it (paper) for emergencies and if I am double masking. I hate seeing them littered. I worry about wildlife getting tangled in the straps or eating them. It's bad enough to dump them in a waste basket where they add to the trash flow but littered... it's too much.
I have heard a little about the mask problem and how to dispose of them but admittedly not much. Terry can't wear the cloth mask as they are really difficult for him to breathe after wearing one for a while. His cardiologist suggested the disposable ones and they are easier on him. I'll keep a look out for any suggestions I might hear about.
xx, Carol
I use my own home-made masks. However a couple of times recently I've been told I had to wear a disposable one. When I got my covid vaccine, and also when visiting my father in the hospital, you had to wear the disposable medical ones provided. Home-made cloth ones weren't considered acceptable in those places.
I also have been using cloth masks since around the time this all started (except while with the daughter in the hospital, they provided me with disposable ones that they wanted me to wear around her) but I do switch to disposable when traveling. For instance, I wear a disposable mask inside an airport and on the plane. Then once I am out of the airport I will switch back to the cloth. Not sure if it really makes a difference or if it's just all in my head. I am surprised that Japan hasn't come up with a way to repurpose the masks. It does make me sad to see how people just leave their used masks all over the place instead of being responsible and throwing them out in actual trash cans.
Like Vireya, I also wear homemade masks and wash them every night. I have read that some people are allergic to the disposable and some others have had the return of acne from non breathable masks. I must admit, I have only seen one or two thrown on the ground when I do my daily walk. Our chemist has a box for deposing of the paper masks.
I loved the fabric masks, but we've been required to use medical grade masks now (either the surgery ones or FFP2 masks that also protect the wearer) for a couple months, at least when in shops of public transportation. I don't like the garbage (and reuse them at least a couple times, especially when I'm only wearing them for short time spans anyways), but it can't be helped right now. I'd feel much better if there were proper ways to recycle them, though!
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