Scuba Divers Make Face Masks Out of Recycled Ocean Plastic

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people are improvising to meet the needs of the community. Part of this is the group of scuba divers making face masks out of plastic water bottles they have recovered from the oceans.

Two Birds in One Stone

A group called the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has partnered with Rash’R, a company selling eco-friendly active wear. They have created a machine-washable, double-layered face masks with five different patterns.

This is indeed a great way to tackle a couple of global issues, by the recycling of ocean plastic waste into masks for preventing coronavirus infection. The project has already recycled 500kg of plastic.

Apart from that, each mask is packed with five reusable carbon-activated filters. This is good for eight hours of continuous use. But they are not selling replacement filters yet. So you can purchase them at various online retailers.

Not For Profit Selling

At $20.40 per pack of five reusable filters are the actual cost of the product and no profit has been made for the sale of these masks. According to PADI vice president of consumer marketing Lisa Nicklin, they only care about the diver community, so they wanted to put their hand on their hearts and they are not profiting off during this difficult time.

Children ages 4-10 years old can also wear masks made by PADI. So far, the products are only available for preorder. They are expected to arrive at the warehouses for the shipment.

Using Plastic To Fight COVID-19

PADI is not only the one concerned about this fight but a lot of other companies are also joining.

Precious Plastic based on the Netherlands is also sharing its designs for their plastic recycling machines to make personal protective equipment (PPE). It has already designed recycled visors and a device to open doors without touching.

Float Digital based on Cornwall, England is also using recycled water bottles for developing 3D-print face shields for healthcare workers.

The Philippine Air Force is also making visors and masks out of recycled plastic for their frontline key workers.

The shortage of PPEs has also been addressed by Takataka Plastics in Gulu, Uganda, a social enterprise to produce visors from recycled plastic for local health workers.