Hey TYO readers! I’m Janvi Patel, writing my first blog. For the past couple of months, we have been told to stay inside and away from others as much as possible due to the coronavirus. We have been notified of the consequences of being too close with people and what would happen if we didn’t wear protective gear. Except, not a lot of people talk about the effects on the environment, more specifically land and water pollution.
Recently I have noticed masks littering common areas. Typical masks are made from materials such as polyester or polypropylene and are plastic-based to prevent the spread of bacteria. Although, because they are made from plastic, improper disposal can create plastic pollution on land. Even if we throw them into garbage bins, they will end up in landfills or the ocean. With our already large water pollution numbers, these new products will not help. As more and more places reopen, masks become mandatory. So, what can we do? The solution is cloth masks. They have multiple layers ensuring the bacteria stays out. By washing the masks, we can reuse them instead of throwing away medical masks after every use. You can create your masks with old fabric found in our home like many people are doing; not only will you be safe and helping the environment but you will also cure your boredom.
Create your own mask: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
