I shouldn’t be here.

Face masks have been one of the constants of pandemic life through the last 12 months. And everywhere you go you find them littering the streets. They’re stuck in drains and ditches; some are caught in undergrowth. Others are just lying on the street, lost or discarded. It’s a kind of symbolic reminder of what we’re going through. It’s also a reminder that Covid 19 carries an environmental legacy. Within that, there will be some positives – fewer cars on the road; people out walking and in touch with nature. But there’s also a sense that people have been preoccupied with issues other than the environment. Perhaps we’ve become less concerned with recycling and packaging. The prospect of another takeout dinner becomes literally all consuming.

Masks 19.03.21

So, this project is a lowkey campaign to make us think a bit more about responsible disposal of masks and other refuse. My writer, Sarah came up with a few words and the result is ‘I shouldn’t be here’. Of course, if you’re reading this, you’re probably not someone that needs a reminder to do the right thing. But for the sake of our wildlife, and sealife, and watercourses and the wider world… feel free to share!

Masks 19.03.21

Masks 19.03.21

Masks 19.03.21

Masks 19.03.21

Masks 19.03.21

Masks 19.03.21