We are currently battling a major pandemic, and are doing everything we can to keep ourselves, loved ones, key workers and our communities safe. One of those safety measures is PPE, such as disposable masks and plastic gloves. But what is happening to these products after they have been used? It turns out that what we are using to keep ourselves safe, is in fact putting our marine life and oceans in danger. We caught up with Natalie Banks, founder of Azraq, the UAE-based grassroots marine conservation organisation fighting to conserve and protect our ecosystems and wildlife, about the impact that PPE is having on our waters.
How much PPE are we using every month?
Globally we are using 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves every single month, with divers and observers taking note of more and more discarded PPE in our oceans, causing harm to wildlife and our ecosystems. It would only take the ingestion of one mask, or one glove, to kill an animal as big as a whale. In addition to the huge rise of PPE, there has been a soar in the amount of single-use plastic being used as a whole across the world. There is a mistaken belief that plastic is somehow the healthiest and most sanitary option, but the real facts are that Covid-19 can live on plastic for two to three days, Natalie tells us. For example, some supermarkets have been wrapping trolley handles in plastic for each customer, which then must be disposed of, whereas actually cleaning and disinfecting the handle between customers would have been healthier, safer and better for our environment.
From Turkey to Hong Kong, single-use plastic gloves, masks and aprons have washed up on shores across the world since the Coronavirus pandemic began. At the start of the pandemic our social media feed were filled with wholesome stories about animals and wildlife thriving with the absence of humans and pollution (remember the images of the monkeys in New Delhi?). However, it seems that our plastic fantastic approach to PPE is starting to catch up with us and has led to a surge in oceanic pollution. Natalie tells us that in the first few months of Covid-19 restrictions we had an increase in marine wildlife sightings throughout the UAE, “from reef sharks in Ras Al Khaimah, to thousands of Risso’s dolphins in Fujairah, marine animals took advantage of less marine traffic and bravely explored the country’s waterways and urban environment without hesitation. But the spectacular sight of seeing two spotted Eagle Rays in Dubai Marina and then approximately 2,000’s Risso’s dolphins in Fujairah was nothing short of jaw dropping. Representatives working with the Fujairah Whale Project stated that it was the first time a pod this size has been reported in the region’s waters”.
“Scientists also reported record low emissions, air pollutants and ocean pollution due to less air, marine and vehicle traffic, as well as less industrial facilities and power plant operations” Natalie explains to us, “The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi reported a 50 per cent decline in nitrogen oxide levels as a result of measures taken in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Though this is great news for the environment currently, the grim reality is that these results are more than likely temporary. Humans generally place their own comfort and convenience over the environment and corporates generally place profits and growth first on their agenda.” Although, Natalie adds that this does not mean we cannot win this battle, “optimism should not make way for pessimism. Where there is humanity, there is hope”. We love this energy!
So, what can we all do to help?
So, what can we all do to help? The main way which PPE ends up in the ocean is people not disposing of their PPE and single-use plastic correctly, which as well as harming the environment is also important in reducing the spread of the infection. The vast majority of PPE is non-biodegradable as they contain micro-plastics, and are best disposed of in a trash bin straight after use to ensure that they don’t end up causing harm to wildlife. Always ensure that wipes of any kind are disposed of in the trash too. Some may label themselves as flushable, however they can cause clogging and often do not decay for years due to the microfibres of the wipes.
Another way to reduce the amount of PPE ending up in our oceans is for us to simply consume less of it. There are now so many super cute re-usable face coverings which can be washed between uses, which reduces the amount of single-use masks we consume. Natalie tells us that experts have found that the best overall natural filtration in a mask is provided by “a sandwich consisting of two layers of tightly-woven cotton plus one layer of a fabric that holds a static charge, such as flannel (which creates an electrostatic filter)”. This filter helps to trap liquid droplets and other particles based on charge rather than the pore size. And let’s be honest – they look so much cuter!