As the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic continues, the rise of disposable mask usage and the surge in online shopping, food delivery, and other non-face-to-face consumer activities have brought plastic waste into the spotlight as a new concern. The combination of the "4-fold crisis," consisting of masks, online shopping parcels, disposable cups, and frequently used cleaning and hygiene wipes, is coloring South Korea with the fear of plastic pollution. Among them, the environmental impact of masks, which is not yet widely known to the public, is a significant problem.
During the time when disposable masks became a necessity, the majority of the population discarded a mask after short-term use, ranging from a day to 2-3 days, and even now, many people continue to wear and dispose of masks in their daily lives. Disposable masks are composed of composite materials such as wire, anti-unraveling plastic connectors, non-woven fabric, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Since it is challenging to separate and categorize them by material, they are generally disposed of as regular waste. The incineration process releases harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and dioxins into the air. Currently, commonly used masks are primarily made of polypropylene (PP), a type of plastic, and it takes thousands of years for PP to completely decompose in the soil. Therefore, in South Korea, masks are classified as general waste according to the "Separate Disposal Standards for Recyclable Items" set by the Ministry of Environment, and they are incinerated in volume-based bags. However, during incineration, polypropylene produces the highly toxic chemical substance "dioxin," designated as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dioxin can have severe health effects, including birth defects, cancer, metabolic disorders, and hormonal imbalances, threatening not only human health but also the ecosystem. Once released into the environment, dioxin maintains its properties without decomposing for decades, posing a potential risk as it may be absorbed into our bodies through soil and rivers via plants and animals.
Masks serve as filters to screen out airborne pollutants, but research from the "Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Hydrobiology" published in an environmental science journal revealed that all types of masks, except N95 masks, generate much more microplastic fiber fragments than the amount of airborne pollutants they filter. This means that inhaling air through masks also involves inhaling microplastics. When plastic enters the lungs, it can accumulate, leading to serious chronic inflammation, potentially causing diseases as the immune system reacts to external substances (plastics).
The dilemma arises as the masks that protected us from polluted air and viruses now contribute to air pollution and pose harmful effects on our bodies through the generation of microplastics.
Solving the Dilemma
Upcycling
Upcycling is a concept that goes beyond simple recycling, where discarded items are repaired and reused to create entirely new products, adding new value. This upcycling movement is not just temporary or exhibitionistic; it creates jobs and promotes economic growth, showcasing successful examples worldwide.
The collaboration between Italian designer Tobia Zambotti and Aleksi Sasta Mäkinen, a fashion design major in Helsinki, resulted in the creation of "Coat19." This padding is made from recycled masks, addressing the issue of more masks being discarded on beaches than jellyfish. Utilizing the relatively inexpensive polypropylene, a primary component of disposable masks, Zambotti and Mäkinen collect masks from the streets, sterilize them, and insert them into padding made of organic cotton. Following the same approach, they also crafted a sofa with a transparent surface filled with masks, delivering a message about environmental pollution.
Indian fashion designer Lakshmi Menon attempted upcycling by using surplus fabric from mask manufacturing factories to address the shortage of mattresses in COVID-19 treatment centers. Considering the difficulty of reusing mattresses upon a patient's discharge and the need for mattresses for street children, Menon sanitized and removed microplastics from the leftover fabric to create environmentally friendly and cost-effective mattresses.
Beyond padding and mattresses, technology has enabled the new utilization of chairs and even materials for secondary batteries, demonstrating that upcycling is not just a one-time or showy effort but an ongoing initiative with job creation and economic growth.
Eco-friendly Masks
While it's challenging to eliminate the already produced mass of disposable masks, it is our collective responsibility to bring about future changes. Protection from air pollution and viruses is essential, but now that we are aware of the harm caused by disposable masks, it is crucial to make efforts to reduce the Earth's burden. This includes using masks made from eco-friendly materials such as PLA extracted from natural plants and masks using chitosan for biodegradable plastic.
"The Joinery," a sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa, has saved 500,000 plastic bottles from landfills and oceans, successfully producing masks from recycled fibers. The fabric used is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, and the packaging is from recycled materials. Instead of regular tape, eco-friendly gum tape is used, showcasing a commitment to carbon reduction. SEEUS 95 is a transparent mask with a filter made from natural fibers such as bamboo, silk, silver, and carbon, offering the option to replace or wash the filter for reuse. Despite its appearance, it uses non-toxic, environmentally friendly graphene extracted from corn kernels. The "GSSM" (Graphene Splash Shield Mask) emits 89.3% of infrared radiation, aiding blood circulation and preventing skin issues. The graphene coating of GSSM retains its properties even after multiple washes, providing a sustainable solution.
Addressing the accumulating waste of disposable masks and developing eco-friendly products is no longer a choice but a vital task for the future of our planet and humanity. The introduction of upcycling and eco-friendly masks plays a crucial role as a solution to these problems. We hope to evolve into a society that reflects on past consumption habits and naturally adopts sustainable choices for the future.
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