Around the world, an estimated 3 million disposable face masks are used every minute. That’s 129 billion discarded masks entering the marine environment and landfill every month.
To help stem that tide, New Zealand mask manufacturer MEO is launching a free nationwide recycling programme.
Photo: 123RF
It's a little-known fact that disposable face masks can, in fact, be recycled, MEO co-founder Kenneth Leong tells Lately.
“And I don't mean by chucking them into your recycling bin. There are methodologies, and there are companies around with the technology to recycle face masks.”
The most common blue and white masks are made from the synthetic polymer polypropylene, he says.
“Polypropylene is not something that should enter the recycling stream, the council bins. It's what's known as a Type 5 [plastic] product and we've worked out a partnership with a company that's able to take them and repurpose them.”
MEO launched the initiative when they realised there was no coordinated recycling scheme underway here, Leong says.
Eventually, the disposable masks made from polypropylene will be upcycled into BioGro-certified fenceposts for the domestic and export markets.
MEO's plan is to set up mask drop-off bins with the cooperation of large retailers and shopping malls. They are currently looking for national retail partners who are keen to host these.
MEO will provide free postage-paid courier bags for customers and members of the public to support the return of end-of-life facemasks - which can be requested through their website.
