With the addition of 7 newly recorded coronavirus cases in Malaysia, it seems almost crazy to go out in public without a mask and sanitiser in hand. While taking these precautionary steps to prevent the spread of virus is always recommended, you should also be mindful of how and where you dispose of your masks. We don’t want the Earth dying along with this viral outbreak!
A whopping total of nearly 70 different types of used masks were found washed up on a 100m beach stretch in Hong Kong recently following reports from Sin Chew Daily. According to Gary Stokes, the Director of Operations from OceanAsia, this is definitely a cause of concern given that many inconsiderate people simply discard masks wherever they go, without giving thought about how it harms the environment or aquatic life.
Not only does this unethical way of disposing masks contribute heavily to water pollution, it also poses a serious threat to marine life underwater! Gary explains that some masks that are already infected with the covid-19 coronavirus may be chucked into the ocean, putting the health of all marine life at risk.
In just 6 weeks, a worryingly large number of masks were found washed up in multiple beaches across Hong Kong.
On top of endangering marine life and pollution, Gary added that the amount of garbage that needs to be processed daily has drastically increased so much that it has exceeded its processing capacity in Hong Kong and Mainland China! He used the opportunity to advise netizens that frequently washing your hands and maintaining hygienic living habits might be a more sustainable and effective way to protect yourself from the virus without jeopardising the environment.
Don’t be inconsiderate guys! If you’re planning on wearing a mask, please remember to dispose of them properly.
Also read: Face Masks Arenāt Just Ineffective, They Might Actually INCREASE Your Risk Of Infection
