According to a recent study, 74% of Brits are concerned about the increase of single-use facemasks and what impact they may have on the environment.
Ocean View Mask, who commissioned the study, also say that 56% of people have reported seeing masks strewn about in streets, rivers or parks.
At PATT, we’re also concerned that discarded single-use face masks used to stop the spread of COVID-19 could be causing significant harm to the environment. CEO, Andy Steel says: “The inevitable rise in the availability of facemasks has the potential to significantly increase waste going into our environment. We’re at risk of running head-long into a litter pandemic if we do not look for alternatives. At PATT we are committed to sustainable solutions and our masks are not only reusable, but benefit our reforestation initiatives. Consumers are wiser now – they just need to know different options are available.”
UCL’s Plastic Waste Innovation Hub released a policy document in May that sets out the environmental implications of wearing single-use face masks, should the UK Government mandate that the public wears face masks to try to prevent further spread. The study says that if every person in the UK used one single-use face mask each day for a year, it would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste, the report warns, and ten times more climate change impact than using reusable masks.
And growing concern is also coming from abroad where the impact is already being felt – Environmental group OceansAsia conducted a recent survey trip to the Soko Islands in Hong Kong where it found masses of facemasks washing up on the shoreline.
Gary Stokes, OceanAsia’s Founder stated: “We have found 70 discarded masks within 100 metres of the beach and an additional 30 masks when we returned a week later… When you suddenly have a population of seven million people wearing one to two masks per day the amount of trash generated is going to be substantial.” The fear is, this is just the start.
But while most masks that you can buy at retailers are made from single layers of plastics designed for single use, our specially designed masks are made of high quality polyester and polypropylene moplen hp 561r for extra safety, comfort and reuse. Donating to receive facemasks from PATT not only benefits our reforestation initiatives, but we’ll match your donations in facemasks to local food banks.
Take a look at your options:
Donate £6: A facemask for you, and a personal thank you email from Andy our CEO.
Donate £12: A facemask for you, and a facemask donated in your name to a local food bank for a family who cannot afford to buy facemasks, a personal thank you email from Andy our CEO.
Donate £36: 3 facemasks for a family, 3 facemasks donated in your name to a local food bank for a family who cannot afford to buy facemasks, a personal thank you email from Andy our CEO, and your name goes on our supporters page, and we will plant a tree in your name.
Donate £72: – 6 facemasks for your family, 6 facemasks donated in your name to a local food bank for a family who cannot afford to buy facemasks, a personal thank you email from Andy our CEO, and your name goes on our supporters page and we will plant a tree in your name.
To look after your reusable mask we recommend the following care guidelines: handwash at 40 °c or sanitize and leave to dry preferably under sunshine or under heat. The mask should be totally dry for at least 20 minutes before using again. Be sure your mask sits tight around your face, covering mouth and nose.
