Disposable Mask Recycling

Every year, billions of disposable masks end up in landfills, oceans, and waterways. VIDA's mask recycling program, powered by TerraCycle, gives your used KN95, N95, KF94, and disposable masks a second life instead. 

75%

of masks wind up in landfills, litter, or waterways

450 Years

is what it takes for a mask to decompose in nature

+1.5 Billion

masks have ended up in the ocean
1

Collect

Round up your used, disposable masks, up to 50 per package.
2

Pack

Package all the masks together in a mailer or box.
3

Recycle

Purchase a return shipping label, affix it to your package and ship.
recycle used masks to keep them out of oceans and waterways

How to Recycle Your Old Masks

1. Purchase a Prepaid Label
Buy a VIDA Return Label and receive a prepaid shipping label via email.

2. Collect Up to 50 Masks
Place up to 50 used disposable or reusable masks in a sturdy envelope or box. (Please ensure masks are dry before shipping.)

3. Ship Them Back to Us
Attach your prepaid label and drop the package in the mail.

4. We Handle the Rest
VIDA consolidates returned masks and sends them to TerraCycle®, where they are processed and recycled into new materials and products.

5. Receive a $5 Credit
You’ll automatically receive a $5 credit toward a future VIDA purchase after the purchase of our Prepaid Recycling Label—good for use within 30 days.

Buy a Prepaid Return Label

Every Mask Counts

Billions of disposable masks enter the waste stream every year. When enough people take one small action, the impact becomes anything but small. Send back a handful from home, or organize a mask drive at your workplace, school, or community and collect up to 50 masks in a single shipment. Every mask you return is one less in a landfill or ocean.

Your Reward for Doing Good
Every prepaid recycling label purchase automatically earns you a $5 credit toward your next VIDA order, good for 30 days.

How to Ship Your Masks
Place any KN95, N95, KF94, 4-ply, or 3-ply disposable masks or filters in a sturdy mailer or box. Attach your prepaid label over all existing barcodes and drop it at your nearest post office or drop box. No additional postage is needed for packages smaller than a USPS flat rate box.

Thank You for Being Part of the Mission
Small actions create meaningful change, one mask at a time.

Freqently Asked Mask Recycling Questions

What does TerraCycle do with used masks?

TerraCycle processes returned masks by breaking them down into raw materials that are used to manufacture new products. Rather than ending up in a landfill or ocean, your used masks become part of something new through TerraCycle's specialized recycling process.

Can I send any brand of mask, or only VIDA masks?


VIDA accepts any brand of KN95, N95, KF94, 4-ply, or 3-ply disposable mask through the recycling program. Worth confirming this with Eddie before publishing, but if true it is a significant differentiator worth highlighting prominently rather than just in the FAQ.

Can you recycle disposable masks?


Yes. Most disposable masks cannot go in household recycling bins because they contain polypropylene and polyester materials that standard recycling facilities cannot process. VIDA's mask recycling program, powered by TerraCycle, is one of the few programs in the US specifically designed to collect and recycle used disposable masks, keeping them out of landfills and waterways.

Can disposable masks go in the recycling bin?


No. Despite looking like paper, disposable masks are made of synthetic materials including polypropylene that are not compatible with standard curbside recycling. Placing them in your recycling bin can actually contaminate an entire batch of recyclables. The responsible option is a dedicated mask recycling program like VIDA's.

What should I do with used KN95 masks?


Used KN95 masks should not go in the trash or recycling bin. VIDA's mask recycling program accepts used KN95, N95, KF94, 4-ply, and 3-ply disposable masks. Simply purchase a prepaid return label, collect up to 50 masks, and ship them back. VIDA and TerraCycle handle the rest.

How do you dispose of face masks responsibly?

The most responsible way to dispose of used disposable masks is through a dedicated take-back recycling program. VIDA partners with TerraCycle to collect and process used masks into raw materials for new products. Purchase a prepaid recycling label, collect your used masks, and drop them in the mail.

Can I reuse a disposable mask?


KN95 and N95 masks can be reused a limited number of times as long as they are not visibly soiled, wet, or damaged, and the fit has not been compromised. Once a mask is no longer suitable for wear, send it back through VIDA's recycling program rather than throwing it away.

How many masks can I send in one shipment?


Each prepaid VIDA return label accommodates up to 50 used disposable masks. You can collect masks over time before shipping. Just make sure all masks are dry before sealing the package.

Do I need to clean my masks before sending them back?


No cleaning is required. Simply ensure masks are dry before placing them in your mailer or box before shipping.

Where do used masks end up if I throw them away?

Most discarded disposable masks end up in landfills, and a significant portion escape into oceans and waterways. Disposable masks can take up to 450 years to decompose in nature, and over 1.5 billion masks have already ended up in the ocean. VIDA's recycling program exists to change that.

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New VIDA

Return Label for Recycling

$11.95 USD
$11.95 USD
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