Disposable masks are widely distributed. Be careful to use them until the end!
To protect yourself from the Covid 19 epidemic, masks are everywhere. Their disposable versions are widely distributed in companies to protect employees.
However, a problem is starting to emerge. Once used, a large part of these masks end up in the streets and in nature, constituting a big pollution problem of a new kind.
What are the risks for the environment?
They take a very long time to decompose. The figures are not precise, but the minimum mentioned is at least 20 years? Indeed, these objects are made of plastic derivatives, a material that can take centuries to disappear.
In addition to this, the elastic bands of the masks wrap around the paws of animals such as birds. They can also be mistaken for jellyfish by turtles who will want to swallow them. The damage is therefore considerable for the environment, not to mention visual pollution.
How are they found in nature? If there are careless citizens throwing their masks straight on the ground, there may also be masks flying out of unclosed garbage cans. Indeed, being made of plastic, it is light and is easily carried away by the wind.
Faced with this, it is appropriate to apply the recommendations of the Ministry of Ecology:
Recycling as a solution?
In Châtelleraut, a company called Plaxtil can recycle these masks to transform them. After keeping them in quarantine for 7 days, the masks are removed from the part containing the rigid bar, which cannot be recycled. Then the masks are crushed. The material obtained is then passed to UV to kill any remaining virus germs. Finally, the ground material is heated to be transformed into a new material, which is currently used to make supports for visors!
On its website, the company announces that it is studying all possible means to set up a national recycling channel.
To avoid polluting, in addition to applying our advice well, you can also prefer reusable fabric masks, provided that you clean them well!