In April, following the second wave of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, Greeners Action, another local environmental group, surveyed more than 2,000 residents and discovered that people were ordering takeaway meals twice as often compared to last year. “Many individuals we support, such as homeless people and street cleaners, simply do not have the facilities available during the day to use reusable items all the time,” he says. “Many individuals we support, such as homeless people and street cleaners, simply do not have the facilities available during the day to use reusable items all the time,” he says. "A single face mask could take hundreds of years to break down into microplastic, the kind of microplastic is now being found in fish destined for human consumption, sea salt and even sea spray," the organization said, recommending that people switch to reusable masks where possible. However, you can purchase sustainable or reusable ones,” says Hong Kong conservationist and filmmaker Sean Lee-Davies, who founded Project C:Change, a social enterprise that raises awareness in Asia about global environmental degradation and climate change. As Lau sees it, while the pandemic has created more waste, it has helped the environment in other areas, such as by lowering carbon emissions. Global publicity around plastic waste in recent years had started to change consumption habits in Hong Kong, but Stokes noticed that the pandemic was causing any progress to backslide. The Soko Islands, a largely uninhabited archipelago to the south of Lantau, represent one of Hong Kong’s last pristine areas. Face Shields (10-Pack), $19.99, available at Blue Bear Protection. One-use utensils remove these risks.”, It's not about recycling, it's about consuming less of these kinds of products and voting with your wallet, As Lau sees it, while the pandemic has created more waste, it has helped the environment in other areas, such as by lowering carbon emissions. Stokes, who runs the vegan restaurant Hemingway’s in Discovery Bay, has long campaigned for a reduction in plastic packaging in Hong Kong supermarkets. All rights reserved. public waste recycle Sign up for our newsletters to get all our top stories delivered. That rate intensified when the government restricted dining in at restaurants to small groups and limited operating hours. Face masks remain at the core of the CDC’s recommendations for protecting yourself and others against COVID-19. covid-19 He hopes to see more use of innovative packaging like bagasse, which is made from sugarcane pulp and is compostable, but notes that greener materials come with a price. Every developed nation is currently trying to figure out what to do with plastic waste since mainland China, the original destination for most of the world’s recyclables, closed the door to foreign imports, including from Hong Kong, in early 2018. Food Delivery and Takeaway vs Sustainability—What Can Be Done? Waste, Unmasked: How Covid-19 Masks Have Affected The Environment, The Woman And The Sea: Female Free Divers Take Conservation To New Depth. pandemic You can now download and read our full October issue for free. One-use utensils remove these risks.”. Self-Checker. 99 Makeup • Beauty • Eye Makeup • The Latest • Makeup Tips. While Hong Kong government waste statistics show a jump in the rate of plastic being recycled locally since then, only 3.6 per cent of the 2,343 tonnes of plastic generated per day were recycled in the same year. Please note, the free download is available from 5 October, 2020 and is valid until 31 October, 2020. Hong Kong Social Distancing Rules For Covid-19: What You Can And Can’t Do, Leave A Lasting Impression With A Legacy Gift To Oxfam Hong Kong, 10 Long-Lasting Lipsticks To Wear Under A Mask, Filmmaker Craig Leeson On Climate Change And His Latest Project, The Last Glaciers, EcoDrive Teams Up With Fashion Platform Vestiaire Collective For A Charity Sale, Stella McCartney Launches World’s First Vegan Mushroom Leather Garments, A Fresh Start: 7 Ways To Spring Clean Your Home, The Rise of the Face Mask-Adjacent Economy, The Best International Schools In Hong Kong, 11 Of The Most Exclusive Private Members' Clubs In Hong Kong, The Most Beautiful Beaches To Visit In Hong Kong. pandemic conservation Isn’t stopping someone from using their own Thermos a slight overkill? See also: Where To Buy Reusable Face Masks Online, “The more noticeable thing [lately] has been the constitution of the trash,” Stokes says. Javascript is disabled!common.-_please_enable_js, The environmental cost of keeping a pandemic at bay. The photograph that united a family. Javascript is disabled!common.-_please_enable_js, The environmental cost of keeping a pandemic at bay. — Picture via Facebook/Chris Goh. In April, following the second wave of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, Greeners Action, another local environmental group, surveyed more than 2,000 residents and discovered that people were ordering takeaway meals twice as often compared to last year. EU leaders will discuss by videoconference on Thursday how to protect their 450 million citizens from new, more contagious … masks. Mandatory mask wearing will impact the entire state of Queensland for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Stokes, who runs the vegan restaurant Hemingway’s in Discovery Bay, has long campaigned for a reduction in plastic packaging in Hong Kong supermarkets. Many industries are struggling during the coronavirus outbreak, but cleaners are in high demand. recycle However, in February this year, they began to show the signs of a rising pandemic when tangled, jellyfish-like objects were found washed ashore by environmental groups that monitor the islands. CNN checked with experts about the pros and cons of the many masks on … “There is less consumption in general.”. waste “There is less consumption in general.”. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last December, there has been an increase in the use of disposable items, such as cutlery and coffee cups, especially in Hong Kong, where safeguarding public health, in certain instances, has meant residents and businesses putting precautionary measures ahead of environmental concerns. “Now, of course, everything is being wrapped individually,” he says. Takashi 2 Hole Balaclava Ghost Skull Face Mask Bike Motorcycle Helmet Hood Ski Sport Neck Face Mask Halloween Horror Call of Duty 4.2 out of 5 stars 38 $24.99 $ 24 . President Jair Bolsonaro dismissed the disease as a “little flu” as it rampaged through his country and mocked measures such as wearing masks. Splashes created while serving food or drinks can also be a route of transmission. While Hong Kong government waste statistics show a jump in the rate of plastic being recycled locally since then, only 3.6 per cent of the 2,343 tonnes of plastic generated per day were recycled in the same year. However, materials like Vegware, made with plant-derived PLA plastic and touted as a sustainable alternative to plastic tableware, are not a panacea, as they require industrial composting in special facilities that Hong Kong does not yet have. However, in February this year, they began to show the signs of a rising pandemic when tangled, jellyfish-like objects were found washed ashore by environmental groups that monitor the islands. “It isn’t the most sustainable option; however, people’s health is just as important at a time like this.”, Though he understands that disposable tableware may offer a degree of reassurance when it comes to hygiene, Marlow still urges people to use reusable options where possible, especially as the government eases social distancing measures. Amazon now has dozens of manufacturers making face shields available to buy … When asked to clarify whether reusable items were more dangerous than disposables, the Hong Kong Private Hospital Association highlighted the risks involved “through contact with contaminated articles [such as by] touching anything that other people have touched”. See also: Food Delivery and Takeaway vs Sustainability—What Can Be Done? “During the ban on social gatherings, carbon emissions were reduced due to fewer vehicles on the roads,” he says. covid-19 Coffee shops and restaurants began rejecting reusable containers and food deliveries boomed, adding to the 13 million tonnes of plastic that the United Nations reports are dumped into the ocean annually. environmental protection Arts Find out how to wear, clean, and make masks. Governments need to act now to ensure a green recovery that incentivizes sustainability. “No one’s not going to use a face mask because of the environment. Twice a month, Stokes and his team conduct plastic pollution research projects in different areas of Hong Kong, which involves microplastics surveys and analysing rubbish that has accumulated at beaches from Discovery Bay to Peng Chau and Chi Ma Wan. Stokes adds: “Obviously, the best way is just to not use plastic at all.”, See also: 3 Eco-Friendly Malaysian Fashion Brands, Arts Hugo Lau, a doctor working in emergency medicine, says single-use face masks and utensils are effective tools against spreading the virus. Symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more. “Since viruses can remain viable on objects for hours, mugs could transmit Covid-19 at restaurants via indirect contact if they have previously been used and not thoroughly cleaned. Disposable masks are sometimes the only option. Michael Springs and his wife, Mama Goose, her legal name, walk through Salt Lake City International Airport as they travel home to Houston on Thursday, April 30, 2020. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. sustainable Chain cafés such as Coco Espresso, Starbucks and Pacific Coffee also stopped allowing customers to bring their own reusable cups to avoid contamination. After extensive testing, a team of scientists at the University of Toronto have confirmed that a new face mask can actually "deactivate" the virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others. Natalia Vodianova has made a high-spec, stylish, eco face mask By Natalya Paul Regardless, for some people with long Covid, vaccination offers a sliver of optimism after a year of despair. face masks Vaccines are becoming more available, but masks are still key to prevent the spread of COVID-19. masks. “Unfortunately, a lot of those options cost more. This January, the Environmental Protection Department launched a two-year trial recycling scheme in the Eastern, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin districts, providing free collection of plastic waste like bags, straws, containers and other packaging materials. Virus crisis gives throwaway plastic a new lease on life “During the ban on social gatherings, carbon emissions were reduced due to fewer vehicles on the roads,” he says. “It isn’t the most sustainable option; however, people’s health is just as important at a time like this.”, Though he understands that disposable tableware may offer a degree of reassurance when it comes to hygiene, Marlow still urges people to use reusable options where possible, especially as the government eases social distancing measures. A preliminary analysis of 194 countries found that places where masks weren't recommended saw a 55 percent weekly increase in coronavirus deaths per capita after their first case was reported, compared with 7 percent in countries with cultures or guidelines supporting mask-wearing. Here's where and when you need to wear one. Hugo Lau, a doctor working in emergency medicine, says single-use face masks and utensils are effective tools against spreading the virus. © 2021 Tatler Asia Limited. “Since viruses can remain viable on objects for hours, mugs could transmit Covid-19 at restaurants via indirect contact if they have previously been used and not thoroughly cleaned. Social media users had a field day mocking the idea of face masks for the dead. How does COVID … This January, the Environmental Protection Department launched a two-year trial recycling scheme in the Eastern, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin districts, providing free collection of plastic waste like bags, straws, containers and other packaging materials. As a result, the conversation among environmental campaigners has moved beyond recycling to not acquiring plastic in the first place. How Covid-19 Masks Affect The Environment. Sky-rocketing COVID-19 infections have left Melbourne a ghost city, with new figures showing last week was the quietest full working week in the city since the pandemic hit. Fraudsters have offered 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines worth some three billion euros to European Union countries, two officials, showing how criminals seek to capitalise on a botched inoculation campaign weighing on the bloc's economic recovery. Every developed nation is currently trying to figure out what to do with plastic waste since mainland China, the original destination for most of the world’s recyclables, closed the door to foreign imports, including from Hong Kong, in early 2018. However, materials like Vegware, made with plant-derived PLA plastic and touted as a sustainable alternative to plastic tableware, are not a panacea, as they require industrial composting in special facilities that Hong Kong does not yet have. Want to see more from Tatler Hong Kong? face masks Brazil 2,859,073 cases, 97,256 deaths. Masks, masks everywhere, but which is best to wear to protect yourself from Covid-19? 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Waste, Unmasked: How Covid-19 Masks Have Affected The Environment. The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face mask in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. See also: 4 Eco-Warriors On Their Pledges To Combat Climate Change. Coronavirus waste has become a new form of pollution as single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) floods our ocean. Some of these innovative designs come with self-disinfecting UVC, transcribe your speech into text on your phone, and even allow fan attachments inside the mask. However, plastic face shields do not provide adequate protection from COVID … sustainable Isn’t stopping someone from using their own Thermos a slight overkill? environmental protection Learn how a face mask can protect you against the coronavirus (COVID-19), materials you can use to make a mask, and how to wear and clean it the right way. Disposable masks are sometimes the only option. The Soko Islands, a largely uninhabited archipelago to the south of Lantau, represent one of Hong Kong’s last pristine areas. Like airports all over the world, Salt Lake’s airport has seen air traffic plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. conservation Photo: … See also: Breitling Joins Forces With Its Surfers Squad To Clean Up The Oceans. Covid-19 in the afterlife: Hong Kong shop sells joss paper face masks just in time for Hungry Ghost Festival. See also: The Woman And The Sea: Female Free Divers Take Conservation To New Depth, “The more noticeable thing [lately] has been the constitution of the trash,” Stokes says, speaking in August. Lab tests suggest Israeli-made face mask eliminates over 99% of coronavirus. environment It depends who you talk to. Global publicity around plastic waste in recent years had started to change consumption habits in Hong Kong, but Stokes noticed that the pandemic was causing any progress to backslide. In order to provide you with the best possible experience, this website uses cookies. public waste Previously, the WHO has stated that face shields can help prevent the virus, but only in combination with other safety measures such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing — no single preventative measure is enough to fully protect against the virus alone.. ... AI's secret army of ghost workers want to be seen. In order to provide you with the best possible experience, this website uses cookies. How To Wear Makeup With A Face Mask During COVID-19. When asked to clarify whether reusable items were more dangerous than disposables, the Hong Kong Private Hospital Association highlighted the risks involved “through contact with contaminated articles [such as by] touching anything that other people have touched”. It's not about recycling, it's about consuming less of these kinds of products and voting with your wallet. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Sign up for our newsletters to get all our top stories delivered. “Now, of course, everything is being wrapped individually,” he says. OceansAsia founder Gary Stokes holding a string of face masks that washed up on a beach in February (Photo: OceansAsia.org) By Zabrina Lo October 12, 2020. However, the Environmental Protection Department states that because most masks are made of composite materials that are difficult to separate, “they are not suitable for recycling or discarding in recycling bins, to avoid contaminating other recyclables”. Effective recycling also requires demand for the reclaimed product: due to low oil prices, it is currently cheaper to manufacture new plastic than recycle existing plastic. At this time, restaurant owners do not want to be spending any more dollars because we’re already stretched,” adds Stokes. The nose masks — … Picture: Dan Peled An empty M3 freeway. written by Megan Decker. Barbara McNulty, who has made more than 800 all-cotton masks since the February-March Wisconsin arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, recently decided Smiley needed a mask, too. It depends who you talk to. On one of his inspections, Gary Stokes, founder of conservation organisation OceansAsia, was dismayed to find hundreds of used face masks of all types and colours, including the N95 version and the more common single-use surgical styles. COVID-19 has had a number of unexpected impacts on the environment, curtailing recycling and increasing the use of plastic around the world. Stokes adds: “Obviously, the best way is just to not use plastic at all.”, See also: EcoDrive Teams Up With Fashion Platform Vestiaire Collective For A Charity Sale. Download and read our full October issue for free PPE ) floods our ocean Beauty • Eye Makeup • Latest. Fewer vehicles on the roads, ” he says recycling, it 's not about recycling, it about. 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