The Malaysian Insight

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are concerned over the increase in waste and damage to the environment posed by disposable masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the fight against Covid-19.

They told The Malaysian Insight it is better for the public and health front-liners to opt for reusable ones to safeguard themselves from the pandemic, and to save the environment.

Malaysians have been forced to wear masks since the onset of the pandemic early last year. A study in October found Malaysians use about seven million masks daily.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman told The Malaysian Insight the number of masks disposed of daily by Malaysians is significant.

“If there are no regulations to control the use of single-use masks, people will continue to use them without any concern for the environment as it is more convenient,” she said.

Greenpeace Malaysia’s public engagement campaigner Nur Sakeenah Omar said while there is now an uptick in the use of reusable masks, there were still misconceptions on their safety.

“Proper education on reusable masks that are safe to use and how to handle them, such as washing regularly, would have to be disseminated to the public,” she said.

Greenpeace International has prepared an educational guideline on how to make reusable masks.

Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said the other worrying trend is that more disposable masks are turning up in rivers and drains.

“We support the requirement of wearing masks from a public health and safety point of view. However, we support the use of reusable masks as much as possible,” he said.

Challenges in disposal

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Dr Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail, senior lecturer with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, said the pandemic has brought about a new challenge in waste disposal.

“In the current practical context, masks that have been used by the public are discarded as municipal solid waste. However, other issues arise if they are not properly disposed of.

“Numerous reports have been circulating on the discovery of masks and gloves along the coast, sea, and river. This is a threat to flora and fauna,” she said.

The Department of Environment has categorised masks used by the public as solid waste – not clinical or scheduled waste.

However, SAM’s Meenakshi disagrees with this categorisation, adding that there should be steps to control the increasing number of disposable masks.

“Masks should be treated as medical waste and discarded properly.”

Many others have also said special disposal sites should be set up in all states for the disposal of masks, plastic gloves and PPE.

Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told Parliament last November there are no plans to review laws on the disposal of used non-clinical Covid-19 masks and PPE.

At present, action against any littering of masks in public areas is taken by the local authorities, National Solid Waste Management Department or Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation Sdn Bhd, with fines of up to RM1,000. – January 19, 2021.