DISPOSABLE face masks could lead to more than 150 tonnes of plastic waste in Oxford and cost residents almost £29m a year, according to new research.
Scientists at UCL calculated if every person in the UK used one single-use mask each day for a year it would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste.
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Separate analysis found the masks would cost each person in the UK £189.80 in the same scenario, based on the average cost per disposable mask from seven UK retailers - £0.52 per mask.
Using both findings, along with population data, money.co.uk calculated the financial and environmental impacts of disposable masks for Oxford.
This new analysis revealed collectively it would cost £28,936,339 and generate 152 tonnes of plastic waste.
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