Disposable masks and COVID-19
Published 11 March 2022
Disposable masks and COVID-19
We don’t like having to supply disposable plastic PPE but we need to do this to keep everyone safe. Disposable high-filtration masks or particulate respirators generally offer the highest level of protection, when used correctly.
Our policy is that our staff should wear medical grade masks (Type IIR/Level 2 or above) when working in public facing roles like our EcoShop and going into people’s homes. Our educators are mandated and are required to wear this type of mask by the Government.
Litter
The World Health Organisation has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to large increases in healthcare waste. An estimated 0.15-0.39 million tonnes to additional plastic may entered the oceans over a year from single use plastic masks. Everyone should keep their masks secure so they don’t become litter where they will put harmful plastic into the environment. Our monthly litter picks are a way to tackle the increasing amount of litter being caused by masks.
We are providing our staff with information about how to safety reuse masks, and we also have a collection point for staff mask recycling:
Reuse
Masks can be safely reused. We recommend storing in paper bags and having them on rotation. After being 72 hours in ‘quarantine’ they can be reused. There is no hard and fast guidance on how many times they can be reused. Some guidance suggests five times, or when masks are become damaged, dirty or wet. Read some more here and here.
Recycle
We are aware of two schemes in New Zealand that businesses can use to recycle masks.
FuturePost: For any face masks that have been purchased through PrimePac, FuturePost is able to receive these at their Waiuku facility free of charge. Alternatively, they are able to accept face masks for companies that have joined the Recycling Advocate Partnership (RAd). FuturePost turn the masks into farm fence posts. Contact: +64 223926390 / jerome@futurepost.co.nz>
Terracycle: Terracycle let us know that due to lack of infrastructure in New Zealand they send masks for recycling to TerraCycle processing partners in the US. They wait until they have collected a full 40ft shipping container of material and send it via sea freight to keep emissions as low as possible. Contact: customersupport@terracycle.com
NB There are costs that apply to both of these schemes.
Not all fabric masks are made the same
ConsumerNZ reports that those with disposable filters inserts in the middle layer are most effective and that three-layer masks are much better at filtering particles than single-layer masks. Masks should also have a nose wire or grip and be well fitted.
We are looking at fabric masks coupled with high rated Helix filters that are made in New Zealand from wool, or PM2.5 filters. We’ll provide an update if we make this change in policy.
We’ll also be keeping up to date with official advice and research that is being carried out on PPE reuse and keeping healthcare waste out of landfill.
If you have suggestions on how we can do things better please get in touch with advice@sustaintrust.org.nz. Up to date information about masks from Government can be found here.