Waste Masks Will No Longer Pose a Threat to Our Planet

Waste Masks Will No Longer Pose a Threat to Our Planet Masks, which are among the leading individual preventive measures in combating COVID-19, pose a risk to our planet in environmental terms. According to a report by OceansAsia, which works to protect the oceans, approximately 1.6 billion masks are floating in the oceans, and a single mask can take 450 years to completely decompose. Hifyber, operating within Abalıoğlu Holding, shared information that masks will no longer pose an environmental problem through its "Nanofiber Filter Media" produced from recyclable raw materials for sustainable living. The world is going through a difficult period due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seen globally. Individual preventive measures are vital in combating COVID-19, which the World Health Organization recognizes as a pandemic. Masks, which are among the leading individual preventive measures, threaten our planet in environmental terms.

Approximately 3.4 billion disposable face masks are discarded daily

With the mandatory wearing of masks in public places in many countries in response to the coronavirus outbreak, it is estimated that approximately 3.4 billion disposable face masks are discarded daily. Masks, which threatened the environment even before COVID, caused a serious waste problem with the pandemic. According to estimates, mask-related waste in Europe amounts to approximately 445 million per day.

Mask-related waste in Turkey is approximately 6 million tons daily

In Turkey, with a population of 84 million, it is estimated that the mask usage rate is 80%, approximately 51 million disposable face masks are discarded daily, and total plastic waste amounts to approximately 6 million tons.

Approximately 1.6 billion masks are floating in the oceans

According to a December 2020 report titled 'Masks on the Beach: The Impact of COVID-19 on Marine Plastic Pollution' by OceansAsia, which works to protect the oceans, approximately 1.6 billion masks are floating in the oceans.

It takes 450 years for a single mask to completely decompose

The report states that masks cause between 4,680 and 6,240 tons of marine pollution and that it takes approximately 450 years for a single mask to completely decompose. There is very little guidance provided globally on how masks should be safely disposed of and recycled. Because there is no good disposal practice in the world on this matter, we are facing a serious environmental disaster.

With Hifyber's "Nanofiber Filter Media," masks can be recycled

Hifyber, operating within Abalıoğlu Holding, has adopted an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to face mask products and launched its developed eco-friendly "Nanofiber Filter Media" to the market. Hifyber General Manager Ahmet Özbecetek announced that the company continues its efforts to reduce plastic waste in the environment without slowing down and has developed a filter media with biodegradable properties in this context. Özbecetek stated: "At Hifyber, we conduct our R&D activities with 'environment, people and innovation' at our focus. We produce the 'Nanofiber Filter Media' that we have developed for use in Hifyber face masks from recyclable raw materials with an awareness of our responsibility to the environment.

90% of masks are manufactured from long-lasting plastic materials

Globally, 90% of commonly used masks are manufactured from long-lasting plastic materials. When discarded randomly into the environment after use, these masks remain in the environment for 450 years, threatening nature, living organisms and human life. As Hifyber, to prevent masks from posing an environmental threat, following approximately one year of R&D work, we adopt an environmentally friendly approach through our developed "HF-BIO60 face mask filtration layer".

"We contribute to sustainable living"

Under controlled conditions in accordance with EN13432 standards, with our biodegradable product along with high-technology nanofibers, we help everyone who wants to live in an environmentally friendly way, reduce individual carbon footprint and protect our planet, thereby contributing to sustainable living," he concluded. With the HF-BIO60 face mask filtration layer, various efficiency levels such as N95, N99, FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 can be achieved in masks.