Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

The City of Philadelphia instructs residents to always wear a mask in public, even if you expect to stay six feet away from other individuals.

(Yes, that means if you’re outside running, biking, or even possibly gardening when you’re in a city of 1.5 million people.)

To protect yourself, purchasing masks from local businesses in the area is the best way to go.

Several shops are offering reusable masks for purchase. Even better, many are holding mask drives, donating proceeds to Philadelphia organizations affected by COVID-19, or helping to make our community a safer and more unified place.

Take a look at some of the great options available to you.

7 Local Businesses Selling Masks

1. Karma Pharma

The children’s apparel store is donating 50% of their mask proceeds to Feeding America.

Masks are 100% organic cotton, and have different patterns to help you distinguish the inside from the outside. $18 each. Purchase here.

2. Wearwell

Wearwell cotton masks protect against airborne particles and support the income of rural Latin American women. They donate a mask to hospital workers every time a mask is purchased.

Masks are 100% cotton and $15 each. Purchase here.

3. Grant Blvd

The sustainable fashion brand is sewing their own non-medical face masks.  For each one purchased, Grant Blvd sends an additional mask to Project HOME, an organization that supports Philadelphians facing homelessness.

Masks are washable, reversible, and 100% cotton. $15 each. Purchase here.

4. Bookmarksical

Bookmarksical is an Etsy store based in Philadelphia that sells book sleeves, and now a wide range of mask patterns.

Masks are pleated and two layers. They also have an opening to insert a filter or non-woven fabric. $13 each. Purchase here.

5. The Pure Bag

This women-owned sustainable business produces an antimicrobial mask that uses silver-ion technology to protect against pathogens in the air. They can also be reused, which means less disposable waste filling up our waterways and landfills. 

Masks are $30 each. They offer a discount that increases by 10% with each mask you add to your order. Purchase here.

6. United by Blue

United by Blue, a company that removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways with every product purchased, is taking their ethical mission another step further. For each 3-pack of masks purchased, one mask is donated to homeless Philadelphians through Chosen 300.

Masks are made from a blend of hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Purchase a 3-pack for $20 here.

7. Sabbatical Beauty

The Korean skincare brand is running a Disposable Mask Drive, where they donate at least one box of masks to organizations or individuals in need for every box sold. Beneficiaries so far have included medical workers, Jefferson Hospital, City of Philadelphia, SEAMAAC Elder Program, St. John’s Hospice, and the Bethesda Project.

A box of 50 3-ply disposable masks is $50. Purchase them here.

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Avery is a junior at Bryn Mawr College majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in English. She is currently an Editorial Intern at Green Philly. In her free time, you can find her curled up with an iced coffee, a book, and her adorable dog Cosmo. View all posts by Avery Matteo