1.5 Billion COVID-19 Face Masks Dumped Into The Ocean And It Takes Them 450 Years To Break Down

Aadhya Khatri - Jan 07, 2021

In the wake of COVID-19, over 1.5 billion face masks have been dumped into the ocean, creating an extra amount of at least 4,680 metric tons of waste

In the wake of COVID-19, over 1.5 billion face masks have been dumped into the ocean this year, creating an extra amount of at least 4,680 metric tons of plastic pollution.

As stated by experts, it took masks 450 years to break down, and even when they did, they turn into microplastic particles that can have a massive negative impact on the environment and the ecosystem.

Discarded Face Masks — As stated by experts, it took masks 450 years to break down, and even when they did, they turn into microplastic particles that can have a massive negative impact on the environment

The demand for plastic has been rising for years and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the rate to shoot upward.

According to Gary Stokes – Oceans Asia’s Director of Operations, the use of plastic in general and plastic packaging, in particular, has increased significantly and this trend is driven by concerns for hygiene and an increasing reliance on takeaway food.

At the same time, measures to reduce plastic consumption like banning plastic bags have been rolled back, delayed, or paused.

PPE (short for Personal protective equipment), and face masks, in particular, are now mandatory in many countries to curb the spread of the Coronavirus and their production has been ramped up to meet the demand, which gives rise to dramatic growth in the amount of PPE waste.

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Single-use masks are hard to recycle because of the risk of infection and contamination. They can pollute the ocean due to the weak, or non-existent, waste management systems.

Plastic pollution is responsible for the death of over 100,000 turtles and mammals, more than one million seabirds, and an even larger number of fish every year. The tourism industry and fisheries are also negatively impacted with an estimated loss of $13 billion USD each year.

The report of Oceans Asia encourages people to use reusable masks more to reduce the amount of trash. It also urges governments to come up with proper policies to promote the use of reusable masks as well as the production of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

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