A Plastic Pandemic
More Masks Than Jellyfish
The world’s economic forum predicts that by 2050 plastic waste in our oceans will outweigh the fish! Over 700 species of marine animals have been affected by plastic whether this is visible or invisible.
Since the coronavirus pandemic and the demand for PPE, our plastic production has increased. Face mask production across the world has created a new environmental challenge. It is not just professionals requiring PPE, this has now become something that is used daily by the majority of the population. According to a study, the world's oceans may eventually have more masks than jellyfish due to the effects of manufacturing billions of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to fight COVID-19.
It’s estimated that 194 billion face masks and gloves are being used every month worldwide. Therefore, if everyone person in the UK used a different single-use face mask every day that would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste.
Disposable face masks (single-use face masks) are produced from polymers. These types of masks could take up to 450 years to fully breakdown. These face masks are seen littered in the streets, in waterways and harming wildlife. The global plastic packaging market size is projected to grow by 5.5% mainly due to the pandemic response. The demand for PPE has seen the importance of fast manufacturing becoming more of a priority than ecological sustainability.
Leading Sustainable Change Within the NHS - Let’s Hear From the Experts!
““I wanted to find a product that at the end of its life it will be part of a circular economy. I want it to be reused as a face mask or remanufactured into something else and not go in the bin”
“I wanted to make sure I had something that’s manufactured in the UK or Europe with a low impact supply chain”
We spoke with Alexis Percival the Environmental and Sustainable manager for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS. Historically, Alexis was involved in the set-up of the plastic waste group at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust where she wanted to reduce, where possible, their single-use plastic from their canteen. Find out more here.
However, due to the large volume of medical-grade PPE waste that was present within the healthcare industry, Alexis and other internal and external peers decided to look at what was on the market, and test and trial new ideas for a more sustainable face mask.
Figures show that in the first three months of the pandemic the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust used around 1.7 million face masks compared to the 10,000 the year before. Looking beyond the environmental devastation face mask and face coverings are having on the planet, it is also important to consider the life cycle of that singular product and the implications this has on the environment.
Throughout the discussion with Alexis, it was recognised that the trial for this product went beyond the reusability of the face mask. They have taken into consideration the manufacturing, transportation, manpower, waste disposal and the life cycle of the product as well as a full cost analysis.
Every Challenge is an Opportunity
Throughout the development of this product, there have been internal and external challenges when looking at design, useability and personal hygiene responsibilities. Even though re-usable masks will require washing “the carbon footprint from 50 washes is still lower than a single-use face mask”. There have been many challenges when looking at the lifecycle of this product. However, with the interest from hospitals, GP surgeries, community trusts, medical schools and ambulance services they were able to get a wider scope and clearer understanding of how these items can be used in healthcare settings, the obstacles to adoption, IPC participation, the need for traceability.
“There’s a viral coating on some of them, so they’re trying to work out whether the viral coating is still valid up to 50 washes.”
The team involved in this project have now developed five different CE marked type IIR reusable front-line face masks. However, they require the stipulation from PHE that they will allow multiple use products. In an age where the threats to our environment have globally become recognisable, Alexis and all those involved in the creation of a reusable face mask within the NHS have shown their determination to make a sustainable impact towards a Net Zero NHS. Individuals and industries need to minimize the effect their plastic waste has on the environment.
“It’s been a really interesting journey because they’ve gone from having a face covering to a face mask that’s medical-grade, CE marked Type IIR face mask.”
Get in touch to find out how you can get involved in removing plastics from within the NHS. For more details regarding the reusable face mask trial please click here.
“Humanity created this problem and humanity still can do everything in its power to reverse or at least slow down these devastating impacts.”