What is the current situation?
As the end of 2021 comes near, the Philippines is still experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic almost a year and a half after its first lockdown. With circumstances yet to have significantly changed since then, this whole crisis has affected the country in many ways, from the economy to our health sector. However, one aspect that isn’t as talked as much about is the way it is affecting the environment.
According to the Global Risk Forecast, “2020 divulged the fragility of our global systems of trade, travel, hospitality and medicine, among others. But another aspect in which 2020 has had an impact was through the effects on the environment.”
Why is this happening?
Of the main culprits behind the situation is disposable face masks. Although they are essential in controlling the spread of the virus, when face masks are not discarded properly, they may pose a threat to the areas they end up in. With disposable face masks being used by the majority of Filipinos, they serve as a relatively cheap, yet still effective way to protect oneself from the virus. They are also readily available as they can be bought in bulk at many locations like groceries and drugstores.
However, due to their single-use factor, disposable masks are only used once before being immediately thrown out. According to Ramon San Pascual, executive director of Healthcare Without Harm, if every Filipino were to use a disposable face mask every day, the number would amount to nearly 3 billion pieces a month.
The Philippines has generated 52,000 metric tons of medical waste since the start of the lockdown in March 2020, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). As a consequence of this, much of the medical waste is not getting properly processed and instead is ending up in our rivers and oceans, affecting many people like fishermen who rely on clean oceans.
What can we do?
According to Yeb Saño, executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, the best way to help mitigate this crisis is to use reusable face masks and face shields. Doing this will lessen the amount of waste and time that is spent disposing of them, helping ease the burden on our oceans. This will also serve as the cheaper option long-term. Another way is to properly practice segregating trash at home to ensure effective processing later on.
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