Deliveroo marks clean air day with air quality mask giveaway
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Deliveroo has announced it is providing free air quality masks for their riders and the public across key cities, as air pollution concerns are on the rise. Half of all Deliveroo’s 25,000 UK self-employed riders use bicycles to make deliveries and the company is determined to play its part in tackling the challenges of pollution and poor air quality in areas where the company operates.
In a bid to improve cyclists’ safety against harmful micro-particulates found in polluted air, Deliveroo has collaborated with British start-up, ‘Cambridge Mask Company,’ to create free, Deliveroo-branded masks for its riders. These masks will be available to riders in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. They will also be made available to the cycling general public in these cities later in the summer.
With more Brits suffering from air pollution related illnesses, the move is designed to support healthy cycling.
This is the latest move from Deliveroo aimed to help fight against the dangers of air pollution. The food company works with a number of E-bike companies, trialing ways to encourage take up of environmentally-friendly electric mopeds. Deliveroo has subsidised hire and purchase schemes for electric vehicles for food delivery to incentivise wider take-up and help to reduce air pollution.
Christopher Dobbing the Founder and CEO of Cambridge Mask Co said: “98 out of every 100,000 deaths are a result of polluted air so we are incredibly excited to be part of a new custom branded mask being distributed with Deliveroo. Research by Imperial University shows that air pollution will be costing the UK up to £5.3bn by 2035, so Deliveroo helping to protect people from pollution is great to see. Hopefully other companies will follow suit.”
Deliveroo partnered with Cambridge Mask Company due to the distinctive design of their masks, an advanced particulate filter in the masks removes harmful particulates such as PM2.5, which is around 1/50th the width of a human hair, and can go deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Dust, exhaust fumes and pollen are common challenges for riders, which will be blocked by these masks.
Emma Simmonds, Director of Policy for Deliveroo, said: “Deliveroo riders are at the heart of everything we do and we want to support them however we can. Riders are out in the community and on the roads every day bringing people their favorite meals. We know our riders love riding but that also means, just like other cyclists, they face the challenge of poor air quality in some parts of the UK.
“We are delighted to be supporting another exciting British start-up. Cambridge Mask Company have come up with an innovative solution to tackling this problem and we think everyone, especially our riders, should be able try out these masks. Deliveroo is determined to support efforts that make our cities cleaner and safer to ride in.”