Face Masks
What Should I Do With It?
Disposable face masks are manufactured from lightweight, mixed synthetic materials, which means they are universally excluded from residential curbside recycling programs. Because they are so light, they can easily blow out of bins and become a pervasive source of litter. Always discard used masks directly into your regular household trash, taking extra care if someone in your home is sick by sealing the mask inside a separate bag first. If you are looking to minimize your environmental footprint, consider switching to washable, reusable cloth masks to significantly cut down on single-use waste. For leftover, unopened packages of disposable masks you no longer need, donating them to local charities is an excellent alternative.
Before throwing this away, see if it can be fixed up, given to a friend, or donated to a local thrift shop. Keeping items in use is the best way to stop waste before it starts!
The recycling guidelines shown here are for general reference and educational purposes. Every city and town has different rules, sorting equipment, and recycling programs.
Please check your local town website or ask your local garbage collection program to make sure you are following your neighborhood's rules.