The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has teamed up with eco-friendly activewear company Rash’R to create a line of stylish face masks made using recycled plastic bottles from the ocean. The face masks are produced by Ocean Balance, a company that specializes in turning recovered ocean plastics and post-consumer plastic bottles into wearable fabric.
The eco-friendly face masks are dual-layered with recycled polyester. They are reusable and include a filter pocket. The outer fabric is made with 100% recycled ocean waste polyester while the lining fabric is made of 92% recycled ocean waste polyester and 8% elastane. Each mask purchase includes five PM 2.5 carbon filters, but more can be ordered on the website. The face covering can be washed in the washing machine between uses.
Masks are being sold at cost, meaning the company is not making any profit from the sales. “The price you pay is our actual cost,” PADI said. “Our driving incentive and hope: that the PADI community will take precautions for their personal wellbeing, the wellbeing of the communities they call home and the ocean they dive.”
Purchasing the face masks makes an impact on the serious issue of plastic pollution in our ocean while increasing the availability for the important medical-grade, surgical and N95 masks needed by first responders during the pandemic. The masks come in six different ocean life-inspired patterns for adults and one children’s size best suited for ages 4-10.
According to the world-leading dive training organization, over 1,267 pounds of ocean plastic have been removed and reused based on the number of face masks customers have ordered so far. The masks have been selling out almost as quickly as the company is making them. Those interested in purchasing a mask can sign up for restock notification emails if the mask they want is out of stock.
PADI is making face masks from recycled ocean plastic [Inhabitat]