Face masks will be an essential part of every-day life for the foreseeable future.
A new scheme launched by the high-street retailer Wilko will enable customers to drop off used, disposable face masks so that they can be recycled and reused.
Over a hundred of the retailer’s stores will have special collection bins for customers to safely drop off their used single-use face masks, after shopping for essential items in-store.
Disposable face masks are made from polypropylene fabric – a type of plastic.
With face masks being an essential part of every-day life for the foreseeable future, concerns about their impact on the environment have been voice by many.
Once full, these collection bins are then taken away by recycling specialists ReWorked.
The recycled materials gathered will be used in everything from building materials to new furniture for communities in need.
Jerome Saint Marc, CEO at Wilko, said: “One of our core values is to show we care and, we understand the importance of climate change to our customers who expect us to take-action on their behalf and make better choices about caring for the environment.
“That’s why we’re thrilled to have developed this scheme, which makes it super simple for shoppers to safely recycle a product which is often unavoidably discarded as a result of us all taking steps to protect the health of everyone around us.
“What’s more, it also means we’re able to help hardworking families, local communities and other businesses by turning something that we’re simply throwing away into a useful and sustainable product that can have a genuinely positive impact.”
For more information on disposable mask recycling at Wilko and which of the retailer’s stores are taking part, please visit https://www.wilko.com/face-