Masks made from paper towels
Paper products made from 100 percent virgin pulp are considered premium since they don’t contain any recycled substance and are biodegradable
In an effort to provide affordable but eco-friendly and effective masks to the public, the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DoST-FPRDI) started producing disposable masks made from durable paper towels.
The paper towels can also serve as inserts to cloth masks for added filtration against air-borne contaminants.
“The FPRDI disposable masks use paper towels from virgin pulp and are sterilized through UV light exposure,” explained researcher Adela S. Torres.
According to her, paper products made from 100 percent virgin pulp are considered premium since they don’t contain any recycled substance and are biodegradable.
The disposable masks, which are manufactured in partnership with Quanta Paper Marketing Inc. of Mandaluyong City, are the improved version of the Do-It-Yourself, no-sew disposable paper towel masks seen in the Internet.
Prior to sewing, the masks are folded downwards so that when stretched, the wearer’s nose down to the chin is totally covered. Flexible wires are also attached at the mid-upper portion of the masks to maintain shape.
“We want to provide an option to those who cannot afford surgical and other more expensive masks. Our masks only cost P6.50 apiece and can easily be sewn at home. Their production can even be a source of income for those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic,” she explained.
Also, the mask is a greener option than single-use surgical facemasks.
Scientists fear the gigantic amounts of surgical masks improperly disposed during this pandemic can result in a huge ecological disaster as these are made from plastic that can take hundreds of years to decompose.
To help address this problem, the DoST-FPRDI research team has prepared a research proposal on biodegradable medical masks from abaca, bamboo and local fibrous materials, set to be conducted next year.
The first batch of masks have already been donated to some hospitals, cooperatives, and local government units in Los Baños, Bay, Cabuyao, Lumban and Calauan, Laguna. More shall be produced and distributed in the months to come.