DURING the coronavirus pandemic plastic based personal protection equipment is needed in medical and care settings.

However I am dismayed at how many members of the general public are using disposable masks.

Recently on BBC television there was a documentary presented by Anita Rani and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall called ‘War On Plastics:The Fight Goes On’ which highlighted these masks high plastic content. Some people are not even disposing of these masks in a bin but they are to be found dropped on pavements and even worse in the countryside, rivers and coasts endangering animals too.

I would urge people to buy (there is so much choice) or make a cotton mask which can be washed and re-used safely. We will need to wear masks for some time so please think of the environmental consequences of buying disposable ones

Jane Wood

Friends of the Earth

Barnoldswick