COVID-19, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. Where does sanitary clothing end?

This crisis that we are experiencing because of COVID-19 is helping us to rethink many things. In a way, it has been good for us to stop a little. It is true that it has been an obligatory way to stop, but in my opinion, this fact, which will undoubtedly be historical, teaches us that stopping is fine, that we cannot live so fast, that we must appreciate well the important things that we have.

To the fashion industry, this situation has also taught us many things, for example, to rethink the production rhythms and seasons of the collections; to rethink that we do not have to take production as far, but we must bet on local production. It has also taught us to think of sustainability as something transversal, which must be combined in all aspects of our lives. Although without a doubt, it has taught us to be supportive.

Fashion may seem frivolous, but let's not forget that fashion is a social fact, it affects our lives, we dress, we all to some extent consume fashion. Well, during this health crisis we have seen how workshops and brands have stopped their production to produce medical supplies to protect all hospital personnel who put their lives at risk to save ours. Thus, the industry has stopped producing dresses, shoes, bags ... to produce masks, gowns, jumpsuits, glasses, screens .... All help is being insufficient to protect so many people, so many heroes who have had to leave without a cape or armor.

A few days ago I was talking to my mother, who is a nurse, about this topic. She came tired of working during 10h with all the protocol material, with all the signs on her face due to masks and glasses. And I asked her: -What do you do with all that "contaminated" material when you take it off? "We clearly dumped it in a special container," she replied. To which I asked again: - And after what is done with all that waste? "They burn," she replied.

This conversation left me with several unresolved questions: What is happening with all these sanitary clothing? How is it being treated? Are sustainable measures being taken that do not contaminate with their elimination? These questions made me do a little research on this topic and write this post. What is happening with that waste that nobody talks about? We know the origin of them, but and their end?

We know that the waste from hospitals, residences, homes positive or quarantined by the coronavirus must be deposited "exclusively" in the remaining fraction container - the one destined for non-recyclable waste - and after collection it is incinerate. With which it´s being contaminated. It´s true that during this crisis, the planet has breathed a little, has regenerated, but the elimination of these residues continues to pollute. Most of these sanitary protection materials: gloves, masks, gowns, jumpsuits ... are made of plastic polymers which are in turn deposited, as an insulation measure, in 3 plastic bags. So, thinking a little, with all the burning that has taken place during these months, large amounts of CO2 have been emitted into the atmosphere.

Reflecting a little on this whole situation, I have to confess that my face draws a smile, because we have managed to put the human first before the economic. However, it also makes me think about sustainability. My question is, wouldn't it be better to make these sanitary protection utensils with sustainable or even biodegradable materials? Without a doubt, the environmental impact would be much less and the consumption of masks, gloves, etc. would be reduced because they could be reused.

Investigating this topic, I discovered that some textile companies are using nanotextiles (smart textiles) for the manufacture of sanitary protective material. It´s a nanotech that could improve the properties of face masks, protective equipment or hospital sheets. It uses ultrasound-based nanoparticles, from a process called cavitation to coat the tissue more durably. The objective is to design "effective, reusable and antibacterial" protection equipment. Thanks to this process, in addition, the products made with this textile can be washed, so it can be reused without mitigating the protection of the health professional. The creators of this textile are an Israeli startup. https://sonoviatech.com/

Why instead of using so much plastic are these innovations no longer supported?

Once again, we clearly see the need to bet on research, on R&D projects that are so neglected. What is your opinion? I read you.

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