Here's where you can donate used face shields for upcycling
With the announcement that the wearing of face shields is no longer mandatory for areas under Alert Level 2 and below, many are happy to leave behind the pandemic staple. So much so that the hashtag #FaceShieldNoMore went trending after the news.
Though it's become a cause of celebration, the important question remains: what do we do with all the face shields we have left?
Local profit social enterprise and recycling studio The Plastic Flamingo (Plaf) has got the solution, as they will happily take in old face shields and other plastic products to be converted into sustainable construction materials for new schools, housing, and shelters.
Still got some old face shields from way back when laying around? Here's what you need to know about the Plaf's initiative, from what happens to them to where you can drop off your post-consumer plastics:
What do I need to do to first?
The Plaf accepts face shields as long as they've been air-dried for 2 weeks, without any residue. That means you have to clean up your face shield with soap and water and let it dry for at least two weeks, to ensure that they're sanitized and ready for upcycling.
Face shields? MINE PLS! pic.twitter.com/8RXp8xzcWU
— The Plaf (@zeplaf) November 16, 2021
What kind of face shields do they accept?
Plaf only accepts plastic-made face shields such as those of the Hong De variety. So best to keep your acrylic-made face shields at home in the meantime.
What will become of my old face shields?
The Plaf upcycles face shields by including them in their extrusion process formulation. This is not incineration, but the melting and molding of plastics to create something new.
They specialize in offering eco-lumber in plank and post form for decking and other low-load bearing applications such as outdoor furniture and fencing.
Just recently, they also offered eco-coasters and other small items made from donated plastic.
Can I donate other used plastics?
If you have other plastic items at home, The Plastic Flamingo also accepts other donations such as:
- Plastic packagings from online shopping stores
- Plastic Bags
- Plastic Egg Trays
- Bubble wraps
- PET bottles
- Lotion bottles
- Single-use sachet packs
- Plastic Tupperware
Where can I drop off my used plastic?
You may check out the drop-off branches in this article.
For more questions, you can contact The Plastic Flamingo on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter