How single-use masks are polluting our planet – and what you can do about it
THEY help limit the spread of Covid – but the statistics on the damage single-use face masks do to the planet are terrifying.
As part of our Green Team campaign, The Sun is helping to stop the plastic coverings ending up in our rivers and oceans and killing our wildlife.
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We use 53million of the masks every day – and they are fast becoming one of the world’s biggest litter problems.
We are urging you, our army of readers, to drop off your used masks in special Sun recycling bins at Morrisons supermarket stores.
Recycling firm ReWorked will then transform them into benches, building materials, PPE and much more.
The Mask Force campaign has been backed by celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson, Dr Ranj Singh and Gaby Roslin.
TV favourite Gaby said: “Seeing the photos of these masks lying around and the damage they are doing should be enough to make anyone want to recycle them.
How to help
DROP your used masks in The Sun’s special bins at your local Morrisons store.
They will then be recycled and turned into other items, such as different PPE and building materials.
“The environmental damage they cause is shocking. If you need to wear single-use masks, please recycle them in one of The Sun’s bins at Morrisons.”
Lizzie Prior, from the Marine Conservation Society, which is also backing our campaign, said: “More than two-thirds of inland litter picks found PPE items last year, and we expect these figures to be on the rise.”
Thea Jacobs reveals how badly single-use masks and plastics pollute our planet.
Join The Sun's 'Green Team' & save the planet
MAKING simple everyday changes can add up to a BIG difference to the planet.
And we want you and your family to join The Sun's Green Team - our eco revolution.
It can feel overwhelming to know how to play a part in reducing greenhouse gasses, but we will be showing you the practical steps we can take to curb climate change - with the help of the global ‘Count Us In’ initiative.
And our easy measures will even help you SAVE money so your household budget goes further.
We'll help you to reduce food waste, insulate your home, create tasty planet-friendly meals and take simple steps to trim your carbon footprint.
We want you to go online to sign-up to as many of our special Green Team pledges as you can manage and a special calculator will show you how much carbon you will personally save.
It won’t cost you a penny but the total you and your family will save will be added to the global ‘Count Us In’ total and the platform will support you every step of the way.
So tap here to pledge.
