Most Littered Face Masks are Brand New, Per Study

A nonprofit scientific organization has determined that most of the cheap face masks littered carelessly all over Maui have never been used.

“People are tossing brand new face masks out of their car windows, or dropping them while out on walks,” said Bernard Shaver, chief of cultural studies for the Association of Interested Scientists (AIS). “It’s a peculiar phenomenon, and we keep working to pinpoint a reason for all this litter.”

All year, Maui County officials have grappled with the littered face mask issue, as they can be seen in any parking lot or along major roads from Lahaina to Hana, from Wailuku to Wailea.

Initially most masks were used, and quickly discarded so people could put on new fresh masks so they would feel even more safe from the novel coronavirus or it’s perpetual variants.

But in recent weeks, Shaver says, his organization’s study of about 2,000 littered masks revealed that approximately 87% of them were brand new.

“We even found some still individually wrapped, like they were fresh out of the box,” he said.

Residents and visitors are urged by county officials to keep their new face masks stored safely, for potential future use should the state and county once again change the pandemic emergency response rules.

“It doesn’t take up much space to stick a little hook besides the front door to hang like 5 or 10 new masks,” said Ed Karreker, the county’s new national emergency response coordinator. “A little precaution like that could go a long way toward being ready for when the governor blinks again and we all have to put masks back on.”