Going out in full coronavirus gear has become the norm in recent times. However, the battle against COVID-19 has brought on an unpleasant and unexpected side effect.

When City Council passed a mandatory mask by-law to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, there was an extraordinary increase in the production and usage of disposable masks. When these masks are carelessly discarded, it not only pollutes streets, beaches and oceans, but also impacts small animals and birds.

For birds, the elastic bands on the disposable masks can get stuck in their claws or webbed feet, causing discomfort and restricting movement. This heartbreaking image of a seagull was circulated widely on social media, bringing light to this new form of pollution.

There is a way we can reduce this negative side-effect. All we have to do when discarding single-use masks is to either snip the elastic bands off before throwing it away, or simply cut the mask from the centre into two parts as illustrated in these graphics our team at ELMNT FM created.

Environmental conservationists have also shared concerns that products such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer bottles and other protective gear could spark a surge in an already over-polluted ocean. A French non-profit organization, Operation Mer Propre, shared this Facebook post saying that their scuba divers found increased evidence of discarded masks during their sea-cleaning sessions. The founder of the organization, Laurent Lombard added that if the production and usage of disposable masks continued, there might be “more masks than jellyfish in the ocean.”

The best option then, is to use reusable masks instead of single-use plastic ones. Wearing cloth masks is not only more eco-friendly, but also cost-effective and leaves medical grade disposable masks for the healthcare workers who need them most.