Discarded Masks

Walton

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2016 Sjpp to Sdc. 2018 Lisbon to Sdc to Finisterre. Next up hopefully VDP or Del Norte.

• Jun 11, 2021

• #1

Wildlife people here are concerned about the number of animals including fish and birds, that are becoming entangled in discarded masks.

If you are walking the Camino or anywhere for that matter and see a discarded mask with straps intact, they are recommending cutting the straps with a pair of scizzors. There is no need to actually touch the mask - I wouldn't but cut the straps, certainly.

Also, if you are discarding your mask in the rubbish, cutting the straps may just save a bird or an animal from entanglement at the rubbish dump.

Food for thought.

Cheers

Graham

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• Jun 11, 2021

• #2

Walton said:

Also, if you are discarding your mask in the rubbish, cutting the straps may just save a bird or an animal from entanglement at the rubbish dump.

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Thank you. I hadn't thought of that. I will cut the straps of masks before throwing them away from now on.

 

Marbe2

Active member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times

• Jun 11, 2021

• #3

trecile said:

Thank you. I hadn't thought of that. I will cut the straps of masks before throwing them away from now on.

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Great idea, me too!

 

Jim ME

Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2021

• Jun 11, 2021

• #4

I was thinking of bringing some dog poop bags and carefully picking up masks I see. Then toss them in a proper trash bin. That way we clean as we go.

 

Walton

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2016 Sjpp to Sdc. 2018 Lisbon to Sdc to Finisterre. Next up hopefully VDP or Del Norte.

• Jun 12, 2021

• #5

Jim ME said:

I was thinking of bringing some dog poop bags and carefully picking up masks I see. Then toss them in a proper trash bin. That way we clean as we go.

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A great idea - I always pick up trash and bin it at the next bin. I was a very naughty kid at school and my punishment was cleaning the school grounds during lunchtimes and recess. I became very good at this and I secretly enjoyed making a contribution to clean school grounds. A habit I've carried on to this day, everywhere I go.

The problem is that masks straps pose an entanglement danger to wildlife until it is either buried or burned. Cut straps absolutely lessons the risk of some animal or bird or fish becoming entangled no matter where the disposed mask ends up.

Cheers