Moroccan researchers warn of the alarming waste of single use masks on northern beaches

A scientific study conducted by Moroccan researchers revealed that masks have become a common type of waste that invades many beaches in the north of the Kingdom, following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The study, published in the marine pollution bulletin magazine, found that these masks are threatening the marine environment in five MAIN beaches along the Mediterranean Sea, namely the beaches of Fnideq, Al-Madiq, Martil, Azla and Qaa Asras.

The highest number of masks was recorded in Martil Beach, followed by Fnideq, Al-Madiq, Azla and Qaa Asras.

Bilal Magili, Mohamed Inla and Mustafa Akisou, from the Faculty of Science at Abdelmalek Saadi University in Tetouan, conducted the field study between February and June of this year.

The Moroccan researcher team found 321 face masks on the five beaches, 96.27% of which were intended for single use.

The study warned of the danger of these masks, projecting that microplastic pollution would increase significantly in the coming years. This type and size of plastic require great efforts to collect and limit after the area has been contaminated.

Data from the study indicated that Morocco manufactures millions of single-use face masks, the majority of which end up being dumped on the streets, in beaches, rivers and sewers.

Moroccan Mediterranean coasts suffered from large quantities of plastic waste well before the pandemic, but the increase in the manufacture and consumption of face masks created a new environmental challenge, as they are now a primary source of microplastic fibers.

In the opinion of the three Moroccan researchers, the most important way to reduce single-use masks is to replace them with non-plastic reusable masks.

The study recommended that the government take immediate measures to promote public awareness and behavioral change on the use of masks and how to dispose of them, encouraging a circular economy.