Fabric masks are more environmentally friendly
Fabric masks are more environmentally friendly
Would you like to be better protected against the new, more infectious strains of coronavirus that have recently been ravaging Europe?
Disposable masks are recommended for this purpose, and in many places cloth masks have even been banned, including in Germany.
At the same time, the switch to throwaway masks is not without its drawbacks. In addition to the higher costs of purchase and disposal, there is also the environment, which has been completely lost sight of since the Corona pandemic and now has to suffer under the disposable masks. Therefore, you have to consider that the cloth masks are not a bad alternative after all.
Those who shun disposable masks for environmental reasons may therefore find themselves in the vexing dilemma of having to choose between protecting public health and avoiding plastic pollution.
Disposable masks end up in landfills
It is a concern that is not unfounded. This is because internationally it is estimated that 75% of disposable face masks, usually made from polypropylene derived from fossil fuels, eventually end up in landfill, although this is probably still the best case scenario. Oceans Asia, a Hong Kong-based environmental group, estimates that more than 1.5 billion disposable face masks will end up in the world’s oceans by the end of 2020, adding 4,680 to 6,240 tons of plastic pollution to the seas. This additional pollution not only further endangers marine life, but also contributes to the proliferation of tiny plastic particles known as microplastics, which can be found in the bellies of deep-sea animals, on the summit of Mt. Everest and in drinking water.
Are 3-layer masks recyclable?
Disposable face masks also cannot be recycled in most recycling programs. This leads to non-recyclable waste that further pollutes our environment.
In contrast, fabric masks, like clothing, can be recycled and, most importantly, can be used multiple times. They also provide about 75% protection %, what that is worth and what the environment is worth is up to each person to decide for themselves within the laws. In any case, one thing can be said for sure: fabric masks are by far more environmentally friendly.
