A TORQUAY teenager has used her time in lockdown to raise awareness about the risks disposable masks can pose to wildlife.<\/p>\n
Sacred Heart College student Grace Mahoney designed an eye-catching poster to encourage Surf Coast locals to cut the straps of their mask before disposing of them.<\/p>\n
The 13-year-old said it was a simple act that could be a lifesaving one for native birds and animals.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen a lot of masks lying around and I was concerned because I have seen photos of birds getting tangled and caught up in the elastic straps of disposable masks,” she explained.<\/p>\n
“Obviously it’s a growing issue and I’ve always been passionate about wildlife so I wanted to do something to help our local environment.”<\/p>\n
Grace came up with the idea for the poster through her Year 7 remote learning studies which encouraged students to get involved with a volunteer outreach program.<\/p>\n
She has since distributed the posters to supermarkets, the pet shop, health food shop, hardware stores and cafes.<\/p>\n
Grace said while people were doing the right thing by wearing protective equipment during the pandemic, it had created a potentially dangerous environmental hazard.<\/p>\n
“As everything we throw away that’s not recyclable ends up in local landfill, it is important that the straps on the disposable masks are cut to minimise their impact on wildlife.”<\/p>\n
Grace said she was happy her poster had helped raise awareness of an issue some people weren’t aware of.<\/p>\n
“My mum has sent it to a couple of friends and they’ve been surprised because they hadn’t heard about it,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a small thing that makes such a big difference.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A TORQUAY teenager has used her time in lockdown to raise awareness about the risks disposable masks can pose to wildlife. Sacred Heart College student Grace Mahoney designed an eye-catching poster to encourage Surf Coast locals to cut the straps of their mask before disposing of them. The 13-year-old said it was a simple act […]<\/p>\n