As the novel coronavirus continues to destroy families and communities, another threat is looming with our increased face mask and glove waste that is being littered in our streets and ocean. While the effects of the pandemic are harshly felt today, global warming continues to be an ongoing threat to humanity at large.
Disposable face masks have a lifespan of 450 years before they can properly decompose. It is estimated that we’ll have more discarded face masks than jellyfish in the Mediterranean.
While most disposable gloves have a shorter decomposition time of around five years, the increase in glove waste is staggering.
Ignoring the environmental consequences of producing both materials, the longstanding effects this litter could have on wildlife may be momentous.
This project documents the pandemic trash seen littered around the Hudson Valley in New York.
