Covid-19: Masks becoming an environmental concern at metro beaches

A growing number of disposable face masks are littering South Australia’s pristine beaches – polluting the water and putting wildlife at risk.

Conservation groups are imploring South Australians to properly dispose of used face masks following a dramatic rise in the number of discarded masks polluting the environment and putting wildlife at risk.

Christopher Morris, of the Sea Shepherd Adelaide, said a record 16 masks were picked up in just over an hour at the volunteer group’s latest beach clean at Glenelg.

“It’s a huge jump in numbers, we’ve been doing cleans roughly every month and only seen two or three masks at the most,” he said.

“They’re obviously becoming much more of a problem, we all see them everywhere now.”

Mr Morris said the design of disposable masks made them dangerous to birds and marine life.

“The two elastic loops on all masks are problematic – animals get caught and can be strangled or become stuck,” he said.

He also said the composition of face masks designed to protect people from contracting or transmitting Covid-19 meant they didnt break down quickly in the environment.

“The public needs a behaviour change, If they end up in the oceans they will just do damage.”

Conservation SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said mask littering had become a growing issue since use was mandated in indoor public spaces in July.
“It’s increasing because the volume of mask use is increasing, people have to realise that if they drop a mask on the street, it will eventually end up down our waterways and into the ocean,” he said.

“If you have to dispose of a mask we recommend that you cut off the elastic loops to eliminate some of the risk to wildlife.

“There‘s a simple solution, just like how SA’s embraced the shift to reusable straws and steered away from single-use plastics, we’ve got to get into the habit of always carrying a reusable mask with us.”

According to SA Health, cloth masks should be at least three layers thick.