With the slowdown of economic activity and air travel, COVID-19 has been a boon for air pollution. For instance, this year Australia's greenhouse gases emissions are expected to drop to pre-1998 levels, offering a short-term reprieve for the environment. Reason to celebrate, no?

In exchange, however, coronavirus has ramped up other types of pollution.

Since the pandemic began, it's been estimated that 129 billion disposable face masks are being used every month. That's 4.3 billion masks per day, and approximately 774 billion - give or take - since the pandemic began. Most of which get used just once, and are made from polypropylene, which, while not as enduring as PVCs, still takes upwards of fifty years to decompose in the environment.

Faced with the wave of PPE pollution, the crew at Earth Technologies - a green-tinged boad label from Torrance, California - started hoarding masks, plus single-use plastic straws, and then rescued a busted softboard from a dumpster to make a Masked Mini Simmons. Watch the video below to see how it was made.

The board is being entered in Vissla's 'Upcycle Contest', run in conjunction with Surfrider Foundation to "take something that might be considered waste and create something that can be used in the ocean."