Store joins scheme to recycle face masks

A major chain store is setting up a scheme to recycle face masks and reduce environmental damage.

Wilko is to place collection bins in its stores so customers can drop off used, disposable face masks – which can be recycled and reused as everything from building materials to new furniture.

The bins will appear in 150 of the home and garden firm’s stores from April 1.

Face masks are currently mandatory but the Covid-19 crisis has also seen a huge increase in them being discarded in public spaces–meaning there are often greater levels of litter in areas such as parks, beaches and high streets.

Once full, the collection bins are then taken away by recycling specialists ReWorked, who together with Metrisk Ltd, Scan2Recycle and Wilko are partnering to make the unique scheme – the first of its kind on the UK high street – possible.

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 simplefor 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 businessesby turning something that we’re simply throwing away into a useful and sustainable product.”