As the epidemic continues, the demand for disposable masks remains as high as ever. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are depleting medical supplies every day to protect front-line personnel from the relentless virus. Likewise, the general public has not stopped using disposable face masks to protect themselves and others.

While face masks are necessary to curb the spread of the virus, they pose a huge problem for the environment. Disposable masks are thrown away after each use, billions of people around the world discard masks every day, we must consider the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of masks. So, are disposable masks recyclable?

Yes, you can recycle disposable face masks. But it's not easy.

Disposable masks are made of non-woven fabric, usually polypropylene, which has superior bacterial filtration and breathability than woven fabrics. Most masks are made up of three layers: a waterproof outer layer, a middle layer that provides the most filtration, and an inner layer that absorbs exhaled breath. Non-woven masks are based on plastic. But globally, only 8.7% of plastic is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or ending up in our oceans.

So instead of throwing used masks, gowns and other types of disposable personal protective equipment in the trash, you are advised to send them to a recycling facility where they will be processed into other useful items. In addition to reducing the amount of disposable personal protective equipment you contribute to landfills, you're doing your part to help protect sanitation workers from biological hazards.

Whether you're on the front lines of healthcare or just want enough protection in your daily life, you need personal protective equipment that passes quality standards and performs well. At C&P, we have all the protective equipment you need to protect yourself from hazards, from surgical gowns, surgical packs, isolation gowns to face masks, etc. Our catalog is just what you are looking for.