Mountain of Masks Recycled at Market

Published on 16 December 2021

Disposable face masks will be transformed into a range of new products, with around 15,000 of the items deposited for recycling at Salamanca Market.

In response to this abundance of single-use masks used at the market, volunteers have been collecting discarded masks for recycling through TerraCycle.

Masks are then able to be processed into raw materials that can be reused, instead of going to landfill.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds lauded those involved with organising the market for their efforts in maintaining a COVID-safe event.

“Our wonderful team of volunteers and staff have been doing a fantastic job checking people into the market and offering them a mask to wear,” Cr Reynolds said. “Many people are still turning up without knowing that masks are required at any event with more than 1000 people in attendance.”

Disposable masks contain a variety of raw products that can be recycled, with fibres able to be made into new paper products or composted; plastics can be melted and used in new products; and textiles can be converted into energy.

Salamanca Market has mask disposal bins at each exit, and patrons who have used disposable masks are encouraged to leave the items in the boxes on their departure.

“It really is a great thing that we can make use of these disposable masks through the recycling program,” said Cr Reynolds. “What we’d prefer, of course, is for people to have their own reusable masks and minimise the amount of waste generated from disposables.”

Of the masks handed out over the past three months, it is estimated that only around half have been collected in the bins provided, with the remainder worn or carried from the venue for reuse or disposal elsewhere.

Alongside masks, the City of Hobart works with TerraCycle to recycle other items that are usually sent to landfill, including toothbrushes, pens, and other small and difficult to recycle items.

These can be placed in the recycling units placed at the City’s customer service centre and other locations across the city.