UN definition: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
The world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33% of that not managed in environmentally safe manner. According to the predictions global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tons by 2050, more than double population growth over the same period. Solid waste is a huge problem in the world which cause several environmental impacts like infectious diseases, land and water pollution, obstruction of drains and loss of bio diversity.
The ongoing covid-19 pandemic situation has created an environment that wearing mask is must for every human life. Recent studies estimate that people use about 129 billion face masks globally every month, 3 million a minute. People are always careless and reckless when it comes to waste management and they are not following appropriate disposal methods for the used masks. Disposable face masks are causing enormous plastic waste and affecting the environment very badly as they end up in the streets, landfills or gets into the water ways and reach the fresh water and marine water. The most tragic thing is the wildlife is also suffering because of it.
The waste management hierarchy is a tool to manage waste alongside protecting the environment. This process basically priorities sustainability and includes these steps, prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The first and easiest approach is choosing reusable clothed face masks instead of single use disposable masks. The choice of face mask can be change according to the working environment. However, the most important thing is discarding the face masks in the “correct” rubbish bin immediately after use. Reusing and recycling are tolerable as long as the virus is inactive and harmless. According to WHO, the biomedical waste includes 10% of infectious hazardous waste and 5% of toxic or chemical waste, therefore incineration at a temperature above 1100 oC is a must before recycling process.
The most suitable, sustainable and eco-friendly option is to design masks which are made of biodegradable materials (plant-based materials) which can save both human and the planet. The researchers Elvis Genbo Xu and Zhiyong Jason Ren have the following suggestions for dealing with the problem:
1. Set up mask only trach cans for collection and disposal.
2. Consider standardization guidelines and strict implementation of waste management for mask wastes.
3. Replace disposable masks with reusable face masks.
4. Consider development of biodegradable disposal masks.
This whole saving the environment concept is depends on the people’s behavior and ethics there are following. Get away from the ongoing situation is not even in sight. So people have to adapt to a green behavior and sustainable consumption pattern for the sake of their lives and the environment.
"Eco Cult"
Project on Global Week for Act4SDGs by Green Pulse Society
Article by :- Naveena Samarakkody
Design by :- Chamudika Gunawardhana
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