Although Covid-19 vaccines are being administered around the world, the necessity of face masks will be with us for an undetermined amount of time. Medical experts are still unsure about viral spread post-vaccination, so it is advised that even those who have been vaccinated continue to wear a mask to protect those who still haven’t received their jab. The CDC currently
recommends
both non-medical disposable masks and cloth masks for use outside of healthcare settings. 
While non-medical disposable masks are an attractive option as you don’t have to deal with laundering, they are wreaking havoc on the environment. Like many disposable items, discarded masks are ending up in our oceans, polluting them and causing harm to animals who call the sea home. Take a look at
this poor gull
whose feet were wrapped up in the ear loops of a disposable face mask. When I first saw this image, I couldn’t help but be reminded of
plastic rings
that hold together canned drinks. Surely we all know by now to cut up the plastic rings prior to throwing them out; this same sentiment should be applied to your disposable face mask. If you must use a disposable face mask, please take an extra 5 seconds and cut the ear loops prior to discarding it, because you never know where your mask may end up after it’s tossed in the trash. You could save a life with this one easy step!

The CDC says that the most effective cloth masks are breathable—yet tightly woven—as well as multi-layered. They recommend avoiding masks with vents as these allow particles to escape. (It is also still advised to reserve surgical masks and respirators for medical personnel.) So taking into consideration these recommendations, as well as the environmental impacts of disposable masks, a reusable cloth mask is your best bet. When choosing a cloth mask, there are a plethora of sustainable options available. Better yet, you don’t have to break the bank when purchasing an eco-friendly mask, and some companies even donate a portion of their proceeds to non-profits. 

The CDC says that the most effective cloth masks are breathable—yet tightly woven—as well as multi-layered. They recommend avoiding masks with vents as these allow particles to escape. (It is also still advised to reserve surgical masks and respirators for medical personnel.) So taking into consideration these recommendations, as well as the environmental impacts of disposable masks, a reusable cloth mask is your best bet. When choosing a cloth mask, there are a plethora of sustainable options available. Better yet, you don’t have to break the bank when purchasing an eco-friendly mask, and some companies even donate a portion of their proceeds to non-profits. 

 

If you don’t have local mask makers in your area, check out these reusable, affordable and environmentally-friendly masks online. And be sure to consistently check in with the
CDC
to stay up to date with current COVID-19 information.
see it here

 

Eco Mask
Claims to be the most sustainable face mask on the planet;
here’s
why

Tested in a world-class German laboratory with results showing 98% filtering efficiency against particles down to 0.3μm in size

Tested in a world-class German laboratory with results showing 98% filtering efficiency against particles down to 0.3μm in size

5 layers

5 layers

UPF 50+ UV protection

UPF 50+ UV protection
1% of proceeds go to
Healthy Seas 

Made from post-consumer recycled content

Made from post-consumer recycled content

Made in Germany with 100% renewable energy

Made in Germany with 100% renewable energy

Recyclable at end of use – send it back to Eco Mask and they will take care of it

Recyclable at end of use – send it back to Eco Mask and they will take care of it

Comes in compostable carbon negative packaging

Comes in compostable carbon negative packaging

 

United By Blue Salvaged Hemp Blend Face Mask
   

Crafted to CDC specifications

Crafted to CDC specifications

Has a filter slot between layers

Has a filter slot between layers
Made from deadstock fabric: a blend of Hemp, Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyester, and
TENCEL
fabric

Made responsibly at their apparel factory in China

Made responsibly at their apparel factory in China
For each 3 pack purchased, one mask will be donated to
Chosen 300
to benefit Philadelphia residents experiencing homelessness.

 

Eileen Fisher Double Layer Organic Linen Mask

• Made from Organic Handkerchief Linen, this fabric uses French flax grown without harmful chemicals
• No filter pocket
• Made in the USA
• For every mask purchased, one is donated to an essential worker

Made from Organic Handkerchief Linen, this fabric uses French flax grown without harmful chemicals

Made from Organic Handkerchief Linen, this fabric uses French flax grown without harmful chemicals

No filter pocket

No filter pocket

Made in the USA

Made in the USA

For every mask purchased, one is donated to an essential worker

For every mask purchased, one is donated to an essential worker

 

5 Smiley Mask Pack

• Made with organic cotton
• Double layered
• Has filter pocket

Made with organic cotton

Made with organic cotton

Double layered

Double layered

Has filter pocket

Has filter pocket

 

Onzie Mindful Mask

• Designed for working out
• Made from up-cycled activewear material
• Has filter pocket

Designed for working out

Designed for working out

Made from up-cycled activewear material

Made from up-cycled activewear material

Has filter pocket

Has filter pocket

Are you an avid recycler? Do you take an extra few minutes out of your day to rinse that glass kombucha bottle or plastic yogurt cup before tossing it in the bin? I, too, have been a diligent recycler and believer in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra since I was a child. Recycling feels like a part of who I am—as natural as stretching upon waking. If you feel the same, I am very sorry to say that I have some sad news to share with you. Not all of your recycling is being recycled. 

 

Single-Stream Recycling 101

Single-Stream Recycling 101

What Does China Have To Do With This?

What Does China Have To Do With This?

Prior to 2018, China was the world’s largest buyer of recyclables from the US, Australia, Canada and parts of Europe. That’s right, your kombucha bottle and little yogurt cup used to travel all the way from Florida to China to be processed! But due to environmental and health concerns caused by multiple-million metric tons of recycling imported from around the world, the Chinese government instituted a policy stating they will only accept foreign materials with a very low contamination rate of 0.5%. They have also completely denied certain recyclables, including mixed paper and most plastics. While this is wonderful for their people and environment, this drastic change in policy has left our local waste management companies with piles of recycling. They now have the choice to pay higher rates to get rid of their materials or dump them. Usually, the cheapest option for disposal is to simply cart everything off to the landfill, which certainly is not where most of us believe our recycling is going. 

 

To be clear, not all of your recycling is going to the landfill. But since China has refused our waste, domestic recycling companies are tossing out more than they used to.

all

What Can I Do?

What Can I Do?

When I first learned that China stopped taking most of our recycling, admittedly I threw my hands in the air and wondered, “what’s the point?” The thought of my recycled items wasting away in a landfill, emitting methane and contributing to our warming Earth, was discouraging. But after further research and contemplation, I realized there is a lot you and I can do on the individual level to reduce contamination and also mitigate excessive recyclables from being diverted to landfills.

Improve your recycling habits.

Improve your recycling habits.

• • • • Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• • • Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• • • Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• • Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• • Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

• Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

Once you know what can be recycled, recycle it properly! Thoroughly rinse and dry items before tossing them in the bin; be sure items are free from food and grease.

rinse
and dry
view details

• • • • Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• • • Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• • • Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• • Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• • Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

Do NOT bag your recyclables. Plastic bags clog the machinery and contaminate batches.

• • • • When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• • • When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• • • When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• • When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• • When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

• When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

When in doubt about an object’s recyclability, throw it out. 

 

In addition to upping our recycling game, we should also be revisiting that phrase I love so much: “reduce, reuse, recycle.” It seems that we lost sight of “reduce and reuse” over the years, don’t you think? So much of our world is disposable and cheaply made. It is often less expensive to buy a new item than it is to get it repaired, just like it is frequently cheaper for companies to make items out of new materials rather than recycled ones. This information can be discouraging as well, but there are easy things we can do. The best part is, many of these solutions are not only good for our planet but they are good for your wallet too!

Reduce your consumption. 

Reduce your consumption. 

This can be tough when we are constantly inundated with ads for the latest tech, fashion trends and the newest “must have” thing. But in order to create less waste, you must consume less. Full stop. In 2015, Americans generated 262.4 million tons of waste, which averages to nearly 5 pounds per person, per day!

per day!

Although I am not perfect, I truly try to avoid frivolous purchases. I am extremely conscientious about bringing new items into my home, which is an exercise in mindfulness. If you must purchase something, ensure that the new item either is  genuinely needed or is replacing a similar item that is being recycled or tossed.

 

Reuse what you have or what others no longer need.

Reuse what you have or what others no longer need.

Avoid disposable or one-time use items. Ask your barista if you can bring your own cup rather than using a paper/plastic one. (This may not be allowed right now due to Covid, but it is good information to have in the future.)

Consider buying items second-hand like clothes, household goods, phones, etc. Pre-loved items have the benefit of being more affordable, and the life of the item is extended thus keeping it out of the landfill for longer. The EPA states that landfills comprise 17.7% of all U.S. methane emissions—that’s a lot of rotting garbage.

a lot

Is The State Government Helping?

Is The State Government Helping?

“Recycling in Florida, the United States, and the world has changed significantly over the last 10 years. Many of the challenges we currently face with recycling have occurred as a result of changes in collection methods, recycling markets and the types and quality of materials acceptable for recycling.

Given these challenges and others detailed in the report, the current practices in Florida are not expected to increase the recycling rate. The recycling rate has continued to decline since 2016 to the state’s current recycling rate of 49%. Without significant changes to our current approach, 75% does not appear to be achievable. However, based on ongoing discussions with Florida recycling stakeholders, Florida’s recycling program for 2020 and beyond could transition to a Sustainable Materials Management approach that would more effectively track environmental benefits.

The Legislature could consider laws that allow for the transition to a methodology that incorporates alternative life-cycle metrics; i.e., sustainable materials management goals into Florida’s recycling efforts. While no one single goal can measure the full environmental impact of the materials used from cradle to grave, multiple goals can be set, based upon the environmental attribute(s) that are most important to the state.”

Be More Mindful 

Be More Mindful 
 

The Florida Legislature appears to be moving in the right direction and facing these challenges with new solutions. It is clear that China’s refusal to continue to accept our contaminated recycling has altered the state of recycling as we know it. Americans—especially Floridians with our vast coastlines and precious marine life—must really begin to self-assess and consider our direct impact on the environment. There are little steps each day that we can take to minimize or be more mindful about our consumption. Head down to the comments below and share with us what you’re doing to reduce, reuse and recycle. Let’s inspire one another to do better. And remember, don’t forget to rinse and dry your yogurt cup!