Life with Chronic Conditions in the Time of Covid: Dispose of masks properly

We just had “Green Up” Day in Vermont. This is the day we take to the highways and byways and clean up litter, trash and anything that doesn’t belong on the side of the road.

 

While “greening up,” I came across disposable masks, some that had been there for quite some time. Yech!!! What a gross thing to pick up.

 

Even though they may be called “paper,” disposable masks are anything but. Single-use masks are made using a variety of plastics, including polypropylene, polyethylene and vinyl – which means they can take up to 450 years to break down. Even then, the plastic stays around as tiny microplastics.

 

Disposable masks endanger wildlife : Beside the disease aspect of ditching a mask like this, it poses a choking and tangling hazard to wildlife on land and in the water.

 

Disposable masks are not recyclable or flushable. Do not mix them in with recyclables as it costs time and money to sort it out. Same goes if you flush them down the toilet. It will not break down causing clogged toilets and a hot mess at the wastewater treatment plant.

 

Dispose of your masks properly: Before putting them in the trash can with the rest of your solid waste, snip the straps off of single-use masks to prevent animals from getting entangled or trapped in them. Once your bag is full, make sure you tie it tightly so the waste stays contained.

Reusables : Use a cloth mask whenever possible. These can be washed and reused avoiding one more bit of nastiness for the landfill.