Masks made from Philippines' abaca plant can cut plastic waste from Covid-19

Sales of disposable face masks are set to rise more than 200-fold worldwide this year. - @TYRATOYADO/TWITTER

MANILA (Bloomberg): Fibre from a relative of the banana tree could replace plastic in millions of face masks and hospital gowns the world is making to fight the coronavirus.

Abaca -- a fibre from the Philippines used in teabags and banknotes -- is as durable as polyester but will decompose within two months, said Philippine fibre agency head Kennedy Costales.