Today’s Solutions: February 03, 2026

As masks have become a staple of our day-to-day look due to the pandemic, people have been getting creative with their designs. Unwilling to compromise on style, people are wearing glitter-glam masks, boldly colored masks, printed masks, and more.

However, the surplus of “mask-cessories,” as well as an abundance of disposable masks, has led to a new source of litter. One year of global, wide-spread mask use has already significantly increased the risk to wildlife who could choke on them or get tangled. On top of that, when they break down into microplastics, the tiny particles can pollute our food and bodies.

Dutch designer Marianne de Groot-Pons decided she was fed up with masks littering the environment after going on a walk and noticing a multitude of masks strewn about outside. In January, she started coming up with concepts for a disposable mask that would help rather than harm biodiversity.

According to de Groot-Pons, her idea is to “bloom the world,” which is the inspiration behind the concept of putting flower seeds between rice paper to produce a biodegradable face covering that can be planted in your garden.

The masks are sold under the name “Marie Bee Bloom,” and have been well received by the market. In five weeks, De Groot-Pons had to move production from mask-making at her kitchen table to employing 30 people to keep up with the demand. Currently, she sells her masks in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, but is expecting to open availability to all of Europe in the next few weeks.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Yale will offer free tuition to families earning under $200,000 starting in 2026

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The prestigious Yale University is opening its doors even wider. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, families earning ...

Read More

5 smart ways to prep your garden now for a stunning spring bloom

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Spring might feel like a distant dream, but a few mild winter days offer the perfect window to ...

Read More

Forget plastic: Here are some greener ways to freeze food

While Ziploc bags and plastic wrap can be useful for sealing up food that’s going into the freezer, there are better alternatives—ones that are ...

Read More

Introducing “True American”— a mini-series

Last month on Independence Day, The New Yorker published an issue featuring cover art by graphic illustrator Christ Ware. The narrative piece, called “House ...

Read More