PADI Introduces Face Masks Made From Recycled Ocean Plastic

DIVE Report

PADI has introduced a range of ocean-friendly reusable face masks to help people care for the ocean while helping to protect themselves during the pandemic.

The company has teamed up with its rash guard partner, Rash’R, to offer masks manufactured from plastic bottles recycled from the ocean. The masks are available through the PADI Gear collection of earth-friendly apparel and accessories. The new cloth face masks are dual-layered, reusable and washable at high temperature, and feature a filter pocket for PM 2.5 carbon filters. Each mask is packaged with five reusable carbon-activated filters which each last for around eight hours, and additional replacement filters can be purchased at padigear.net.

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PADI Gear is selling the masks at cost price and not making any profit from their sale.

'PADI’s greatest priority has always been the safety of divers around the world. We care about the health of the ocean and dive community, so we wanted to be able to put our hands on our hearts and say that we're not profiting from this difficult time,' Lisa Nicklin, PADI Worldwide Vice President of Consumer Marketing. 'We wanted to give divers an opportunity to make a difference in an issue that, as ocean lovers, we care deeply about – plastic pollution.'

Based on the number of face masks purchased so far, PADI and its partners have removed and reused more than 575 kgs of ocean plastic.

PADI's masks are available in adult and child sizes and feature a variety of different patterns depicting marine life. The masks can be purchased through PADIGear.net and retail at £17.20. A pack of five filters costs £8.00