Disposable face masks as the new environment threat Did you know that 129 billion face masks are being used globally every month and most are disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers? We've all seen them, at the park, hanging on a tree, on the driveway but what do they do? When not properly collected and managed, masks can be transported from land into freshwater and marine environments by surface run-off, river flows, oceanic currents, wind, and animals (via entanglement or ingestion). The effect this has on our environment is immense. When breaking down in the environment, the mask may...

The Pink October campaign started in the earlier 90’s in America and since then it has gone viral worldwide to raise public awareness towards breast cancer. Every October, people all over the world join forces dressed up in pink, and together they take part in outdoor marches, fairs, events and even congresses to support the breast cancer prevention campaign. They share experiences between themselves and support those who have been or are being treated for breast cancer.  This initiative aims to bring knowledge about the importance of prevention to the public. During this month, the color pink is brought to evidence, some important buildings in big cities are lit up in pink, and many people choose the color as a dress code...

If you are super excited for the summer and ready to pack for your holidays, don’t forget the most important item: your face mask. While we see many countries running massive vaccination rollouts and relaxing lockdown restrictions, keep in mind that we are still threatened by the virus and its variants and it is essential that we do not get careless with our safety and that of those around us. If you are planning to go abroad, a face mask will be an essential item and  ISKO Vital+ has an excellent selection to choose from! And why is ISKO Vital+...

Wearing a face mask will continue to help control the spread of coronavirus, so why not do it in a fashionable way? Isko Vital + has Supreme and Premium face masks in a huge spectrum of colours. That’s right, we’ve got all the options to help you look great and boost your natural light and style. These are not only fashion face masks, they are also washable, reusable, and of course, sustainable! So, how do you go about choosing what colours are best for you? Have you ever seen a colorful piece of clothing or accessory that looked absolutely stunning...

As countries like the UK and US are seeing success in battling COVID and vaccine rollouts are now open to over 40s, it is easy to see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Shops are re-opening, people are meeting outside for a picnic or drink at the pub – many of us are cautiously venturing out of our homes again.   The worldwide scientific community deserves to be celebrated for their mammoth effort in coming together to develop not one, but four (and growing) safe and effective vaccines in such a short space of time. We are already...

Citing a recent study from the University of Denmark, Science Daily reported that an estimated 129 billion face masks - most of which are disposable - are worn globally every month. This translates roughly to 3 million masks being worn per minute.  Even if only half of those masks are thrown out after a single wear, that adds up to more than 60 billion disposable masks clogging our landfills each month – not to mention littering our parks, waterways and wild spaces – harming the habitats of wildlife. Discarded single-use masks have been found washed up on shorelines and covering...

(M)Ask the expert explains our new masks for the German market and addresses the dangers of misinformation in today’s Q&A:   Q: I’ve noticed that you are selling specific masks for Germany on your site. Why is this and what does it mean for those of us outside Germany? Should I be worried?   A: I can answer your question in two parts, starting with the ‘why’. You may recall from our post about EU standards and certifications  that we mentioned the current situation in Germany. At the beginning of January, the German government mandated that by the end of...

With COVID cases on the rise again and new lockdown rules being debated in Germany and other countries, safety measures like wearing face masks, hand washing and social distancing to help #StopTheSpread of the virus are as important one year on as they were at the start of the pandemic.   While working from home has become more prevalent in the past year as part of the effort to control the virus, there are still those who are working in factories, labs, shops, at sporting events and, of course, hospitals and medical establishments who are travelling to and from their...

In the weeks following the US presidential inauguration and the recent report by the US Center for Disease Control, talk and speculation about whether wearing two masks offers better protection than a single mask has been rife. The idea of ‘double masking’ – wearing a disposable, medical mask underneath a fabric one – speaks to the discrepancies in quality and standards in face coverings available to the public.  Inconsistency breeds confusion which, as we know, can lead to fear and knee-jerk reactions. The question you should be asking is not really about how many masks you wear, but whether or...

With safety and #StoppingTheSpread our number one priorities at ISKO Vital+, we are extremely proud to have successfully completed the rigorous testing process to become the first company to receive the new NEN Dutch certification for community face covers.  We are already getting questions from customers and the general public about what this means and why it’s important, so let’s start by explaining what it is. The certification is based on the NEN-spec 1-2 that aims to ensure the quality and efficiency of community face covers by setting strict requirements for anyone who manufactures these public health items. NEN follows...

Founded by Swiss-born duo Christa Bosch and Cosima Gadient in 2016, fashion brand Ottolinger has become known for a mix of innovation, craft and cool. It’s been nominated for the prestigious LVMH Prize in 2018, and worn by celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid. Bosch and Gadient are also part of the ISKO Visionary Minds programme, which partners with emerging designers. Our latest collaboration comes in the shape of an ISKO Vital+ face cover - proof that style and safety will work together in 2021. We caught up with Bosch to discuss the face cover, taking inspiration from science...

We are very pleased to announce that Retail Platform Solutions B.V. ("ISKO VITAL") is the first company to receive NEN certification - the recently established Dutch standard for community face covers. The certification is based on the NEN-spec 1-2 that aims to ensure the quality and efficiency of community face covers by setting strict requirements for anyone who manufactures these public health items.   Competition amongst many other face cover suppliers in the market was tough, so we are especially proud to be the first company to be granted this certification (and the accompanying quality mark) for our Premium face covers,...