Why are 1.56 Billion Face Masks in the Ocean?

Right now, it is crucial to wear face masks in public spaces. We are glad to see the public doing their part. As a COVID-19 PPE supplier, we want to kindly remind everyone, disposable face masks only belong in the garbage. They do not belong anywhere else other than the garbage. Please do not leave your face masks at the beach, sidewalk, or recycling bins, unless it's disposed of in the trash.

Recently, Hong-Kong-based marine conservation organization OceansAsia, “estimated 1.56 billion face masks will have entered oceans in 2020.” The only one to blame for this is us. We are damaging the planet and our ecosystems. We need to do better and can do better.

These are just a few examples in the news lately about how improper disposal of face masks are impacting our animals and planet: 

• ABC News: Animals Found Entangled in Face Masks
• The Harvard Press: Dog Eats Face Mask
• Fox 23 News: Animals Confuse Face Masks for Food
• Ocean Asia: 1.56 Billion Face Masks Will Have Entered Oceans in 2020
• New York Post: Marine Animals Killed By Face Masks

Face masks are crucial to protect us from catching the COVID-19 virus. However, it does not mean we put our species and planet in danger by littering.

Together, let's do better.

A message from First Choice PPE.