As you probably know by now etee stands for everything touches everything else. Our goal is for all our products to come from the earth and return to the earth, meaning biodegradable, eco-certified ingredients (non-toxic) and plastic-free.
Now that we're in the middle of a Global Pandemic, we are challenged with the desire to stay true to our mission, while also providing the protection people deserve.
You see, while Our FaceMasks fit perfectly with this mission - they are made with GOTS certified organic cotton and they are reusable - it is recommended to use a filter to ensure the masks provide maximum protection.
So we've been looking at filter options and the quickest to get in stock, cheapest and most tested is the disposable/single-use PM2.5 multi-layer, activated charcoal filter (with layers of synthetic melt-blown fabric), BUUUUT it's single use and it won't biodegrade any time soon.
Disposable/single-use PM2.5 set of 10 for $10.99. QUICK TO MARKET, SINGLE USE & NON-BIODEGRADABLE, PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRUSES
At the other end of the spectrum is a cotton filter that is more expensive, will take longer to bring to market and is not as proven.
Reusable antibacterial cotton filter - set of 4 for $12.00USD. SLOW TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, EXPENSIVE and unproven.
Another option that has been popping up in DIY circles is the Coffee filter. It is - as yet - unproven, but it would be biodegradable and less expensive to produce.
Disposable paper filter (coffee filter type) - set of 20 for $5.99. REASONABLE SPEED TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, UNPROVEN
Soooo, with this in mind, we're feeling that in light of the Pandemic, it makes most sense to get the PM2.5 filter to market as quickly as possible while we continue to look into the more sustainable options; both from an 'ecological footprint' perspective AND from a functionality perspective.
Comments
Unless your masks fit tight against the face they are not going to be much more than minimally effective at preventing watery and larger droplets from dispersing. With that in mind, a filter doesn’t have to be top of the line either (in fact would be wasted). It would be good to know whether a filter adds anything – and how much – to the protection offered by your masks. I would personally go for the biodegradable coffee-filter option if it helped at all. After that, something organic and re-usable/washable, and then you’d need to have a couple to ensure you always had one ready.
I use an HVAC filter material by 3M called Filtrete 2800. You have to disassemble the screen to harvest the material but it yields enough to do many masks. Here is a link – https://www.iallergy.com/products/3m-filtrete-2800-ultrafine-filter?variant=40855857033. I have not tried washing it but the material can be sterilized/cleaned by putting it in a 170 degree Fahrenheit oven with a pan of water for about 30 minutes. I do manage to get a full rectangle of the material into the Etee mask through the hole. A bigger hole would be helpful!
I would sell the disposible PM2.5 at this time as they are proven to be effective until you see what the results from the reusable cotton one and add that later as and additional option
I’m using double-thickness cotton masks I made myself for right now, going out so infrequently where there’s anybody else. When/if this virus thing roars back for its second (+) round of infection, and we’ve adapted to going about fairly “normal” lives but with face shields, I’ll be glad to know where to get info from your studies of less expensive but biodegradable filters.
We used a hepa filter from our Kerby vacuum. It cuts up to easily fit the pocket in our mask and we can hand wash them. We was our cotton masks in the clothes washing machine and then use our dryer to complete our process.
I’m still waiting for my masks (from you) to arrive. Ask me again after I receive them please.
I’ve just read that cotton and silk works well in combination. My only complaint about your cotton masks is that they don’t have a wire in them to shape around my nose to prevent my glasses from steaming up. My vote is to keep masks as earth-friendly as possible.
It does not make much sense to create sustainable filters for others to buy without knowing whether it helps. At best, it works to filter in a sustainable manner as well as PM2.5 or at least better with no filter. At worst, it does nothing but create a false sense of security and wastes money.
I’ve been using the coffee filter option until I could source out something better, but that’s been difficult. I’d be happy if I could get PM 2.5s from you, but also like the idea of having something like the cotton filter if it could last longer and/or be washed and reused.