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fescuerescue

(4,475 posts)

3. 50 years isn't that bad really

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 08:07 AM

Jul 2021

and 1.6 billion is a lot, but it's literally a drop in the ocean. A water bottle for instance takes about 450 years to biodegrade. Most garbage in the sea takes thousands of years to degrade.

Don't get me wrong, I hate seeing parking lots strewn with masks I really do. I'm on salt water all the time and I constantly see water bottles floating or washed up. But I don't think I've seen a mask floating yet.

Overall, this is a bad news, but it's far far less bad than I would have guessed.

Plus, the mask waste will stop in time.

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Covid masks are choking the oceans [View all] jmbar2 Jul 2021 OP

I've avoided picking up masks on the ground, cuz, YUCK. Pobeka Jul 2021 #1

We've had a few blow up onto our lawn in recent months. I do the ol' reverse bag thing, tie a knot.. George II Jul 2021 #6

as official litter pickers... El Mimbreno Jul 2021 #20

I've been picking up the ones I see Ms. Toad Jul 2021 #25

It's Not A Joking Matter But Remember When It Was Hard To Get A Mask.... global1 Jul 2021 #2

Yes, indeed Backseat Driver Jul 2021 #22

50 years isn't that bad really fescuerescue Jul 2021 #3

I haven't thrown away one mask yet this whole time IronLionZion Jul 2021 #4

They are everywhere. Bristlecone Jul 2021 #5

A friend of mine gifted a few hand sewn cloth masks at the start of COVID. Probatim Jul 2021 #7

Unfortunately, those provide only minimal protection to yourself, Susan Calvin Jul 2021 #8

I got sick once in the last 18 months. Working from home and 100% mask compliance on my part helped Probatim Jul 2021 #11

Same here. nt Susan Calvin Jul 2021 #12

They actually provide significant protection Ms. Toad Jul 2021 #26

I'm glad to hear that. Susan Calvin Jul 2021 #34

Fit is one of the most important factors. Ms. Toad Jul 2021 #36

I remember early on they said only N95s would be 98% protection but Catherine Vincent Jul 2021 #30

I'm glad you were able to get some. Susan Calvin Jul 2021 #35

Good for you! jmbar2 Jul 2021 #9

I also wear handmade masks PennyC Jul 2021 #10

please folks use appropriate disposable surgical or N95 masks AlexSFCA Jul 2021 #13

The MIT researchers make a good case for reusables in the article above jmbar2 Jul 2021 #14

Using my woodworking N95s El Mimbreno Jul 2021 #24

Humans suck Auggie Jul 2021 #15

We don't deserve this planet Beatlelvr Jul 2021 #18

Cut the strings b4 the trash IbogaProject Jul 2021 #16

I know seta1950 Jul 2021 #17

"One damn thing after another." --Winston Churchill. Binkie The Clown Jul 2021 #19

I'm currently in the Caribbean BannonsLiver Jul 2021 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jul 2021 #23

The two of us have 15 masks we've had made. We use fresh ones every day. We give ... marble falls Jul 2021 #27

Wow, you are really resourceful! jmbar2 Jul 2021 #31

I'm goign to get a picture and send it to you as a file, because I cannot figure out how to post ... marble falls Jul 2021 #37

Looking forward to it. jmbar2 Jul 2021 #38

This is the video that I figured out from ... marble falls Jul 2021 #40

Very clever jmbar2 Jul 2021 #41

We aren't a high volumn producer. I have one indoor cat and the ferals I feed. About every ... marble falls Jul 2021 #42

Just like with the gloves Catherine Vincent Jul 2021 #28

Maybe we should focus on how masks (and all the other garbage) kacekwl Jul 2021 #29

It's people (paraphrasing Soylent green) jmbar2 Jul 2021 #32

I agree. Just saying kacekwl Jul 2021 #33

I always wear cloth ones Raine Jul 2021 #39