In 2020 alone, 1.6 billion disposable masks entered the ocean. This is equivalent to 7% of the size of the Great Garbage Plastic Patch and may take over 450 years to biodegrade. At this rate, there risks being more masks than jellyfish in the ocean.
COVID-19 has had a number of unexpected impacts on the environment, increasing the use of medical waste around the world including masks, gloves, and hand sanitiser bottles which are already being found on our seabeds and washed up on our beaches, adding to the day-to-day waste in our ocean ecosystems.
Single-use plastic waste is not the only impact humans are having on the environment, fishermen and the litter they leave behind on our beaches (e.g. bait boxes, fishing line, hooks etc) also have a huge effect on our environment, birdlife and guests.
We need to act now to protect our oceans for future generations.
Say no to non-biodegradable single-use products and choose to Reduce. Reuse. and Recycle wherever you can. #ProtectOurPlanet
Thank you to Happy Wanderers Holiday Resort for allowing us to share this article