A Masked Environment

Earlier this year, it seemed Australia was emerging from the pandemic. Case numbers were low, the vaccine roll-out had begun. But as we all know, Australia is still very much in the grips of the pandemic, with case numbers higher than they have ever been before. One of the more prominent adjustments during a spreading virus has been one-use, disposable items, such as masks, and the link between COVID safety and environmental harm are inextricable. While these disposable masks have helped to protect us for nearly two years now, they are doing nothing to protect the environment.

What’s happening?

No doubt you’ve seen old masks scattered around streets or gutters. Though most people dispose of their masks responsibly, they still end up in landfill, where they aren’t biodegradable. It seemed as though all our work to minimise pollution and meaningless waste - such as discontinuing plastic bags and encouraging the use of reusable coffee cups - stopped, if not reversed, as we were forced to turn to single-use, disposable items to stop the spread of the virus. According to the National Geographic, 3 million masks are used every minute around the world. With the majority of these being plastic, one-use products, the aftereffects on the environment are devastating.

Just weeks ago, Queensland’s Health Minister, Yvette D’Ath, implored Queenslanders to dispose of their masks by placing them into bins, after noticing an increase of mask littering, particularly in the waterways near hospitals. Passersby are unlikely to pick up and dispose of a mask they see in the street for fear of contamination, and the masks’ light weight make it easy for the wind to blow them into waterways. Once out in the environment, plastic masks take approximately 450 years to break down and release microplastics in the meantime, which poison wildlife when ingested.

What can we do?

While this sounds overwhelming, there are small changes individuals can make to help combat pandemic pollution. One of the best practices to avoid disposable masks ending up in landfill or the environment is to wear reusable face masks. Cloth face masks are now readily available across shops and online stores. They need to be washed often, but greatly reduced the amount of medical waste caused by disposable masks. If you must use single-use plastic masks, cut the strings off before disposing responsibly in a rubbish bin, as this will help minimise the risk of wildlife becoming tangled in the straps.

On a more long-term scale, researchers at RMIT University have discovered the possibility of converting disposable face masks into building materials to pave roads - 3 million recycled masks could pave one kilometre of road, and they are continuing to research other products masks to be recycled into.

While it feels as though our recent work to reduce the effects of litter and waste on the environment and wildlife was all for nothing once the pandemic hit, the hope of making a difference is still prevalent and possible. 

WORDS: BIANCA BREEN
PHOTOGRAPHY: JEFFERY GROSPE & CATE BLIGH UNSPLASH