Reflection

Even before the pandemic has happened at the beginning of 2020 with the legal requirement for face covering, the consequences of the disposable mask were troublesome. It is now apparent that these disposable masks were posing a huge contribution to the pollution problem. These discarded face masks could be easily spotted on the streets daily, but even also at the sea. These once-used masks discarded on the streets that I see almost every day have brought the idea to give further use to prolong their lifespan and convey a message to dispose them with responsibility, at least not on the street. The use of décalcomanie is the reflection of our responsibility for face mask disposal as well as the impact on our environments that follow after generation to generation. Photos of mask thrown away with or without intention on the streets are taken by months in the pandemic. Mixed media with images of discarded masks on two weaved masks shows a transition of rebirth.

‘According to existing rules and regulations regarding the disposal of surgical face masks, used face masks are “unrecyclable” due to the fact that they may be contaminated and could potentially lead to indirect infection and viral transmission if they enter the recycle system’

— Greenpeace

‘If the global population adheres to a standard of one disposable face mask per day, after lockdowns end, the pandemic could result in a monthly global consumption and waste of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves.’

— Cambridge Mask Co.