Iron Disposable and Single-Use Product Design · 2023
Marimask Biodegradable Mask
by Yawen Chen
- A' Design Award 2023 Iron Winner in Disposable and Single-Use Product Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 558,816
- Verification code A4FBB9C2BA · Verify this award
About Marimask Biodegradable Mask
Marimask is a disposable face mask with straps that can be cut easily. A push button on the mask cuts the straps as the mask is removed, which reduces the risk of marine animals being entangled. The mask and its package are made of seaweed based materials that biodegrade in soil or seawater. The seaweed fiber also gives an antibacterial effect, and the filter efficiency meets the KN95 standard. The package explains why cutting the straps protects marine life. The design responds to the many discarded masks that reach rivers and oceans.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Marimask is a face mask with easy-cutting straps. It guides people to click the button, which can easily cut off the mask straps, aiming to reduce the risk of marine life strangled by masks. Being made of Biodegradable Materials, it can be degraded and composted later after use.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 150mm x 100mm x 5mm
- Tags
- Face mask, Ocean protection, Marine life, Degradable materials, Sustainable design
- Production Technology
- Marimask and its package are made of seaweed-based materials, which can be biodegraded in soil or seawater. The seaweed fiber added to the mask has an antibacterial effect because it will form a weak acid environment rich in sodium and calcium ions, where bacteria cannot survive. Additionally, the filter efficiency of the mask reaches the standard of KN95.
- Design Challenge
- The most difficult part of the design process is selecting the appropriate structure to enable people to cut the straps in a natural and efficient way. Finally, we chose the Push-button structure, which makes the action of cutting the straps consistent with that of removing the mask, which is easy and convenient. Additionally, we innovatively use the seaweed-based materials that can be degraded and composted later after use to add more value of environmental protection.
- Project Duration
- The project started in December 2022 and finished in February 2023 in Guangzhou.
- Operation Flow
- People can learn the significance of cutting mask straps to save marine life from Marimask’s package. When they run out of the mask, they can click the button and the mask straps will be cut off. And then they can throw it in a dustbin. The mask will be biodegraded in soil or seawater, which is environmentally and sustainable.
- Research
- Abstract
Research types- Interpreting research.
Purpose- The pollution of discarded masks has become a huge threat to marine life. However, little design has provided a practical way to solve this problem. This work aims to remind people to cut the straps when discarding masks and make this behavior more natural and efficient.
Design/methodology/approach- Primary research, secondary research, Focus Groups, User Journey Map, etc.
Findings- Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.
Originality/value- We design a face mask with easy-cutting straps. Through intuitive graphic information and simple operation, it mobilizes people to protect marine life through simple daily behaviors and makes an outstanding contribution to marine protection. - Inspiration
- Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.