Summary Reader Response Draft #4

 The article describes the invention of an innovative face mask, created by Dean Ezekiel,  called "Helloface". The University of Hertfordshire (n.d.) also stated that his partially deaf wife read lips to assist herself in understanding conversations when she could not hear properly. Dean then realized the importance of lips and facial expressions. Thus, he came up with a solution that would solve communication issues where facial recognition is essential, especially in the healthcare industry. Having the distinct feature of transparency as the key focus of "Helloface", the University of Hertfordshire's (n.d.) revealed that the 3-ply structured transparent mask can keep big particles from getting to its users while also allowing others to see their faces. It features a flexible transparent body that makes up 90% of the mask with filters at the bottom, pressing against the chin. Dean also affirmed that the TPE material that makes up the mask is recyclable.

From this article, one can see the importance of innovation to cater these face masks for daily needs and comforts, with "Helloface" as one such example. 

No matter how innovative, face masks made with environmentally friendly materials should be used and properly disposed of, to minimize the impact it has on the environment and reduces face mask pollution and waste. However, one could argue that the cost to implement such practices is too steep.

Using face masks made of environmentally friendly materials, the impact caused on the environment can be reduced.  The objective is not to discard the use of face masks, as they are essential for medical safety protocol (Malin, 2021). With the increase in the usage of face masks in recent years, it becomes one of the main contributors of rubbish and waste. Therefore, causing pollution and negatively impacting the environment. According to Malin (2021), the director of research OceansAsia, Phelps Bondaroff, stated that face masks of different grades are often made with polypropylene plastic. When this material breaks into tinier pieces, it can take a maximum of 450 years to decompose. If the face masks were made of environmentally friendly materials instead of the usual plastic like polypropylene, the impact caused by face masks on the environment can be drastically reduced. Hence, to reduce the impact caused, face masks that are made of environmentally friendly material should be used instead.

Besides using environmentally friendly face masks, another good way of managing face masks to ensure the reduction of impact on the environment is: To dispose of them correctly and ensure that they do not end up mixing with the Earth's ecosystem (Malin, 2021). It is estimated that 1.6 billion face masks globally ended up in our oceans (Lu, 2021). According to NOAA (n.d), plastic, which also makes up face masks, breaks down and releases up to millions of microplastics into the water. The amount of damage caused by improper disposal of face masks will be substantial not only to the ecosystem but to marine life and to one’s health. Simple steps such as discarding the face masks into garbage cans with lids and tied-up garbage bags can prevent face masks from making their way to the Earth's ecosystem. As stated by Malin (2021), the head of plastic waste and business at the World Wildlife Fund, Erin Simon, asserted that it is crucial to be educated on how to dispose of face masks properly so that they will not end up in oceans, lakes, and rivers. This way, one will have the ability to mitigate the impacts of pollution caused by face masks by disposing of them appropriately, ensuring that it does not end up in the Earth's ecosystem.

One could argue that the cost of implementing proper disposal and recycling programmes of face masks is too steep. The resources required to properly manage face mask disposals, such as manpower and infrastructure, would be too expensive, especially in countries that are lacking in such resources. Though it is true that it might be too costly, the resources taken to manage face mask disposal are essential in minimizing the “effects of climate change” (MMC, 2022). Failure to address such a growing concern could lead to long-term social and environmental damage (MMC, 2022), to the extent that it becomes irreparable even if more resources are provided. Additionally, various technologies and innovations are emerging that are enabling the proper management and disposal of face masks more cost-efficient. One such innovation is “Plaxtil” (France24, 2020). A company known as “Plaxtil”, collects and grinds down used masks into fine pieces, mix them with binding materials, and then turns them into “Plaxtil”, which is a plastic-like material that can be used in industries (France24, 2020), enabling reduced production of plastic materials, thereby saving costs. Hence, although the cost of proper disposal and recycling programmes of face masks may be steep at first, it will prevent irreparable damage in the future that no amount of resources can fix.

In conclusion, the usage of face masks should be managed appropriately to minimize the impact it has on the environment, reducing face mask pollution and waste. With the steps taken such as using environmentally friendly face masks and appropriately disposing of face masks to ensure that they do not end up in the Earth's ecosystem, the impact on the environment and face mask pollution can be reduced. For a significant result, it is up to everyone to accept the collective responsibility to make the environment a better place.  As Robert Swan stated: "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."(Stevenson, 2012).

References*

France24. (2020, August 27) Face Mask Recycling: French Firm Finds A Way to Re-use Covid Waste. https://www.france24.com/en/20200827-face-mask-recycling-french-firm-finds-way-to-re-use-covid-waste

Lu, M. (2021, July 27) 1.6 Billion Disposable Masks Entered Our Oceans in 2020 VisualCapitalist.  https://www.visualcapitalist.com/1-6-billion-disposable-masks-entered-our-oceans-in-2020

Malin, Z. (2021, April 22) How to reduce face mask pollutions, according to experts NBCNews. https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/eco-friendly-face-mask-ncna1264810

MMC. (2022, August 3) Help the Environment with Proper Disposal of Used Face Masks. Makati Medical Centre.https://www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/help-the-environment-with-proper-disposal-of-used-face-masks/#:~:text=Properly%20disposing%20of%20face%20masks,less%20single%2Duse%20product%20today.

NOAA (n.d.) What are microplastics? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html

Stevenson, A. (2012, March 1) Robert Swan OBE: "The Greatest Threat to Our Planet Is the Belief That Someone Else Will Save It" Huffpost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robert-swan-antarctica_b_1315047#:~:text=In%20Swan's%20own%20words%3A%20%22The,see%20Antarctica%20in%20my%20midst.

University of Hertfordshire (n.d.) Innovative Face Mask Breaks Inclusivity Barrier.  https://www.herts.ac.uk/enterprise-zone/news-and-case-studies/case-studies/business-incubation/innovative-face-mask-breaks-inclusivity-barriers