3-Ply 99% Biodegradable Mask FAQs

Have a question about your 3-Ply 99% Biodegradable Mask? See our FAQ below for more information. If you have additional questions, please contact us at [e-mail].

Product Specifications

• Biodegradable 100% Non-Woven, Melt-Blown Polylactic Acid (PLA) Corn-Made Cloth
• 99% Polylactic Acid, Corn-Made Rope Elastic Earloops
• 100% Polylactic Acid Corn-Made Plastic Nose-Clip
• 95% Efficiency Filtration Filter
• It includes a prepaid return label to send back your used masks for recycling/composting.

What are the dimensions of this mask? What are the available sizes?

At the moment, this only comes in regular adult size: width 6.89 inches, the height of curve 3.74 inches, Earloop Strap 6.06 inches (3.03 inches half length).

These masks can be made to fit kids using our Mask Comfort Fit Set. Mask fit can also be improved using the knot and tuck method as shown in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzTAZDsNBe0 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFL-fS5ZZug

Where are these made?

This is made in China.

What materials are the masks made from?

• Biodegradable 100% Non-Woven, Melt-Blown Polylactic Acid (PLA) Corn-Made Cloth
• 99% Polylactic Acid, Corn-Made Rope Elastic Earloops
• 100% Polylactic Acid Corn-Made Plastic Nose-Clip

What are the filtration capabilities of these masks?

95% Filtration Efficiency

What’s the shelf life for these masks?

We do not have any defined shelf life on the Bio masks. Even by NIOSH standards, there are currently no requirements for shelf-life; https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/respirators/testing/ExpiredN95results.html. Studies such as this one have shown that there is no significant change in the level of protection over time. Generally, disposable face masks claim to have a shelf life between 3-5 years after the date of manufacture.

Can I compost the mask at home? If not, how or where do I send it for industrial composting?

No, this is recommended to be returned for industrial composting. The biodegradable components should be disposed of in a compost facility. Other components such as the nose strip and paper based packaging can also be properly disposed of through recycling. 

If a compostable product has more of a paper consistency, or is a very thin film, it can potentially be disposed of in a backyard compost. However, this is not guaranteed, since decomposition relies on the elements (heat, moisture, oxygen). Having these masks on commercial or industrial composting which is designed to handle a very high volume of organic waste, as opposed to private or home composting, the process is a lot faster resulting in high-quality compost for soil remediation, thus, a greener environment.

What makes this mask biodegradable?

This mask is made up of one of the synthetic biodegradable polymers - poly(lactic acid), a polymer which can be produced from renewable resources annually through fermentation and polymerization processes.

What is a  PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and renewable thermoplastic polyester, mainly derived from corn starch. It has characteristics similar to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polystyrene (PS). It can be produced from already existing manufacturing equipment (those designed and originally used for petrochemical industry plastics). This makes it relatively cost-efficient to produce. Accordingly, PLA has the second largest production volume of any bioplastic (the most commonly typically cited as thermoplastic starch).

How long does it take for these masks to decompose?

When sorted and properly composted in the right facility, biodegradable and compostable plastics (biopolymers) will only take about three to six months to return to their basic states after decomposition.