Face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt societies around the world. One product that has seen unprecedented demand is the ubiquitous disposable face mask. Let’s take a deeper look into the rise of disposable face masks and their impact.
The Emergence of a New Necessity
As the coronavirus began spreading globally in early 2020, medical experts soon concluded that face masks can help reduce the transmission of the virus from infected individuals. This prompted governments and health authorities to recommend or mandate public mask-wearing. With supplies of medical-grade N95 respirators limited, disposable surgical masks became the go-to alternative for general public use.
Within weeks, Disposable Face Masks Share vanished from pharmacy shelves as panic buying ensued. Manufacturers scrambled to ramp up production to meet skyrocketing demand. Retailers installed purchase limits on masks to manage shortages. By summer, over 80 countries had implemented policies requiring citizens to wear masks in public settings like shops and public transit. Disposable masks were the only practical option for most, catapulting the once niche product into a basic necessity carried by billions worldwide.
Environmental and Societal Impact
While face masks save lives by reducing viral spread, their exploding use has come at significant environmental and social costs. Tens of billions of disposable masks are estimated to have entered use over the past year, with most ending up as litter or in landfills. Unlike cloth masks, disposable masks are mostly made of non-biodegradable materials like polypropylene that will persist in the environment for decades.
Several studies have found discarded masks accumulating in waterways and shorelines. There are also reports of masks harming wildlife when mistaken as food. Proper mask waste management practices have struggled to keep up with usage levels. All this masks a looming pollution crisis if consumption is not curtailed.
On the social front, some argue widespread mask usage impedes interpersonal communication and empathy, as facial expressions are mostly covered. The lone enforcer or non-wearer can feel isolated. There are also reports of anxiety and acne breakouts from prolonged mask use. However, most experts agree these are small prices to pay for controlling a deadly pandemic. Overall, disposable masks have had wide-ranging and largely unforeseen societal and environmental fallouts beyond their health benefits.
Prospects for More Sustainable Alternatives
Given the current unprecedented demand and uncertain end-date of the pandemic, entirely replacing disposable masks does not seem feasible in the short-run. However, as the crisis drag on, governments, manufacturers and citizens are looking at more sustainable options.
Some countries are providing reusable cloth masks to citizens or requiring their use in certain low-risk settings. Incentives are being offered for returning used disposable masks for appropriate waste management. Regulations on mask packaging are tightening to reduce non-biodegradable plastic use.
Manufacturers are exploring biodegradable materials like paper and plant-based polymers for disposable mask production. Models with fewer layers can lower material needs. Partnerships with recycling firms aim to divert used masks from landfills. Locally produced, washable cotton masks are regaining popularity as a long-term solution.
Modifying mask-wearing behavior also helps. Reuse of disposable masks when safe or limiting outdoor usage reduces per capita consumption. Proper disposal in covered bins instead of littering supports recycling. While a combined strategy is needed, innovative solutions indicate that more sustainable alternatives to the traditional disposable mask are emerging.
Striking a Balance
As the pandemic grinds on, balancing public health, environmental stewardship and economic needs will be key. Ramping up vaccination programs worldwide offers the best hope of curtailing virus spread and mask dependency. In the interim, regulatory push for greener masks paired with personal choice for reusable options can optimize outcomes.
Overall, the swift mainstreaming of face masks during the coronavirus crisis highlights humans’ ability to adapt. With open-mindedness and coordinated global action, the inevitable post-pandemic future need not mean we exchange one discarded product for an ongoing pollution predicament. With care and pragmatism, we can strike the right balance between protecting lives and protecting our planet as well.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
