A young graphic designer from the Netherlands answers the question of what happens to the mask waste that’s taken over the world, with masks that turn into flowers. Here is the story of Marie Bee Bloom.

“Ah, what’ll we do?” It’s much more useful and beneficial to sit down and look for solutions than to complain. COVID-19 has taken its toll. We still don’t know how or when it’ll end. Along with the virus, other problems have arisen. For example: mask waste! It already covers the streets, the seashores, everywhere. Apart from polluting the environment, the mask on the ground isn’t hygienic for anyone. Alright. It looks like a tiny piece of cloth, but it’s life-threatening in many ways.

There are flower seeds in the masks

It’s hard work to create awareness in people. They don’t understand it, or we can’t explain it. So what should we do? Should we just give up everything? Here, the company has come up with a different solution to mask the pollution. They’ve made a mask that turns into a flower when buried. These masks, which are 100% soluble, contain flower seeds. The name behind this idea, Marianne de Groot-Pons, makes the following statement on her website:

Marie Bee Bloom: 100% biodegradable masks with flower seeds
Marie Bee Bloom masks

“In all the years I’ve worked as a graphic designer, I’ve also polluted the earth with my designs for printed materials and packaging, so I want to give something back to the earth. At the same time, I want to bring the spotlight back on the issue of single-use plastic flying around and sinking and the ban starting July 1, 2021. After weeks of stumbling across all the blue disposable masks on the street, I woke up one morning with the idea of a biodegradable mask with flower seeds inside. The earth happy, the bees happy, nature happy, people happy. I sell the mask under the name Marie Bee Bloom. Bloom the world!” (Source)

How well do these masks protect against COVID-19?

You may be wondering how effective these masks are. These masks are as effective as any homemade cloth mask. It’s made in a small workshop in the Netherlands. The mask made of rice paper contains visible seeds. Instead of rubber bands, she used a rope made of sheep’s wool. If you’re vegan, she offers alternative ropes. While putting the flower seeds into the mask, she uses a special glue made of water and potato starch. Also, the logo on the mask is written with sustainable ink.

Just because we use a soluble mask, of course, doesn’t mean we can throw it wherever we want. If you bury them in the ground instead of throwing them away, you get the full effect. Yes, they’ll rot easier in the landfill, but unfortunately the seeds won’t have a chance to turn into flowers.

Want to hear another example? For example, we’ve already read about Airx coffee masks. They’ve developed a solution to the problem of mask waste from coffee waste. Shoex launched the antibacterial, reusable and biodegradable coffee mask.

What do you think about this mask waste? Don’t forget to write your thoughts in the comment box. You can also help spread this idea by sharing this article. Hopefully, we’ll see you in the days without a mask…