Covid litter: a threat to the environment
There's no aspect of life that hasn't been touched by Covid-19. Not only has the virus caused death and illness, it has also led to a huge increase in litter due to disposable masks, gloves and sanitisation bottles. This could result in a big impact on global warming, with the increased number of things going to landfills. Landfills are one of the biggest producers of methane gas, something which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This means that with more litter going into landfills over this difficult time there global warming may be worse than ever before.
Masks may be protecting us, but what are they doing to other creatures?
Disposable masks are liable to choke animals all over the world. The small elastic that hooks on your ears gets caught in an animal’s neck and won’t come off. This causes the animal to choke and eventually die. Bigger birds also find these masks and mistake them for food. They could take it to their babies or try to rip apart to eat. This means that the material can get stuck going into the body and may cause a blockage which means the animal will again, eventually lose its life.
According to the United Nations: ‘If historical data is a reliable indicator, it can be expected that around 75% of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas.’ This is a massive percentage of used masks and will mean millions and millions of them in our environment. There are a few resolutions to this problem that can really make a change. For example, get a good quality mask that fits your face and can be reused and washed, cut the elastics off of the disposable mask before it goes in the bin and you can craft a mask yourself!
Reusable masks are becoming increasingly easy to purchase, being sold on fashion sites, in supermarkets, charity shops and being made locally by individuals looking to help. My biggest suggestion to you is to invest in two reusable masks: one to wear on the day, and one to wear when the other is in the wash. Masks should be washed everyday after going out, to be used most effectively. Not only will wearing reusable masks reduce the amount of litter going into landfills, but it will also reduce the number of masks being produced in factories by supporting local mask makers. Wearing masks is essential in keeping ourselves safe and using reusable ones is essential to keeping our planet safe. Why litter when there is such an easy alternative option?
However, in the case that you have some disposable masks at home which you don’t want to waste: please don’t litter when you've finished with them. Littering doesn’t look good; it isn’t good for our planet; it increases the spread of germs and diseases and can attract vermin. Who would want to litter?
Despite all the advice and all the campaigns, there are still people who handle getting rid of litter carelessly, resulting in litter scattered across motorways, roadways, high streets, and even around our very own school grounds. Not only is this bad for animals who live in these areas - many animals choke on litter mistaking it for food - but it also makes the scenery appear dirty and filth ridden. This isn’t the way we want our planet or school to look… so please, just don’t litter. If there isn’t a bin around, carrying a bag with you to put your litter in until you find a bin. When you can, always recycle to reduce the number of things going into landfills. Always rinse food containers before recycling them, as if they are contaminated with food they will go to a landfill and your recycling efforts will be rendered useless.
Please... recycle anything you can, reuse what you can. Let’s keep our school and planet clean.
By Alec Loxley and Matilda Lawson, Year 7
Here is a link to a pattern you can use to make your own mask for school: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
Masks may be protecting us, but what are they doing to other creatures?
Disposable masks are liable to choke animals all over the world. The small elastic that hooks on your ears gets caught in an animal’s neck and won’t come off. This causes the animal to choke and eventually die. Bigger birds also find these masks and mistake them for food. They could take it to their babies or try to rip apart to eat. This means that the material can get stuck going into the body and may cause a blockage which means the animal will again, eventually lose its life.
According to the United Nations: ‘If historical data is a reliable indicator, it can be expected that around 75% of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas.’ This is a massive percentage of used masks and will mean millions and millions of them in our environment. There are a few resolutions to this problem that can really make a change. For example, get a good quality mask that fits your face and can be reused and washed, cut the elastics off of the disposable mask before it goes in the bin and you can craft a mask yourself!
Reusable masks are becoming increasingly easy to purchase, being sold on fashion sites, in supermarkets, charity shops and being made locally by individuals looking to help. My biggest suggestion to you is to invest in two reusable masks: one to wear on the day, and one to wear when the other is in the wash. Masks should be washed everyday after going out, to be used most effectively. Not only will wearing reusable masks reduce the amount of litter going into landfills, but it will also reduce the number of masks being produced in factories by supporting local mask makers. Wearing masks is essential in keeping ourselves safe and using reusable ones is essential to keeping our planet safe. Why litter when there is such an easy alternative option?
However, in the case that you have some disposable masks at home which you don’t want to waste: please don’t litter when you've finished with them. Littering doesn’t look good; it isn’t good for our planet; it increases the spread of germs and diseases and can attract vermin. Who would want to litter?
Despite all the advice and all the campaigns, there are still people who handle getting rid of litter carelessly, resulting in litter scattered across motorways, roadways, high streets, and even around our very own school grounds. Not only is this bad for animals who live in these areas - many animals choke on litter mistaking it for food - but it also makes the scenery appear dirty and filth ridden. This isn’t the way we want our planet or school to look… so please, just don’t litter. If there isn’t a bin around, carrying a bag with you to put your litter in until you find a bin. When you can, always recycle to reduce the number of things going into landfills. Always rinse food containers before recycling them, as if they are contaminated with food they will go to a landfill and your recycling efforts will be rendered useless.
Please... recycle anything you can, reuse what you can. Let’s keep our school and planet clean.
By Alec Loxley and Matilda Lawson, Year 7
Here is a link to a pattern you can use to make your own mask for school: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
