Commentary, Front Page, Oakridge/Westfir, Outdoors

Commentary: Please don’t let single-use, disposable face masks become the new star of Highway 58 litter

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The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to make single-use disposable masks the newest litter scourge in our communities. Doug Bates/The Herald

By AMY BRADLEY/For The Herald — Have you seen a disposable mask blowing across the street or hanging from a tree branch? Litter, like single-use masks, diminishes the natural beauty of the Oakridge-Westfir area and can harm local wildlife. To reduce the negative impact on our beloved scenic landscapes, rivers and wildlife, consider using a reusable, cloth mask instead of a single-use mask.

Last year the production of disposable masks increased from 45 million units per month to 180 million per month. That is a four-hundred percent increase in production, which means a four-hundred percent increase in consumption, and waste. Unfortunately, people are dumping these single-use masks outdoors by the millions. Improperly disposed of masks can make their way into the scenic rivers, forests, and prairies of the Oakridge-Westfir area. This litter is not only unpleasant to look at, but it also has the potential to harm to wildlife. Fish and birds are at risk of getting their heads caught in the strap of a mask, which could lead to death.

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Amy Bradley of Oakridge

Here is how to keep your mask from becoming litter. Avoid using single-use masks, if possible. When it is time for the mask to go in the trash, whether it is a disposable mask or a reusable mask, make sure to cut the straps. Do not toss the mask into a trashcan that is overflowing with garbage.

The best solution to reduce pollution is to use reusable, cloth face masks. Make sure to wash it! Follow these guidelines created by the Center for Disease Control.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives. The last thing the Oakridge-Westfir area needs is more litter in the form of disposal face masks. Help keep our area beautiful by properly disposing of your mask whether it be reusable or single-use. The takeaway here is to keep the Oakridge-Westfir area scenic while using masks to protect others and yourself from COVID-19.

Amy Bradley of Oakridge writes an occasional column on environmental conservation for The Herald. You can learn more about her and read her previous writing on her Viridescene blog and her gardening website Thyme to Cultivate.

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