The coronavirus has caused an uptick in improperly discarded gloves and masks.
Waste360
April 8, 2020
By Waste360 Staff
A substantial increase in improperly discarded gloves and masks causes concern for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). As the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) grows to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the amount of litter and trash has increased. SWANA urges Americans to dispose of these materials properly and recycle right during this pandemic, stating it is even more crucial now than ever before.
“No one should be leaving used plastic gloves or masks on the ground, in a parking lot or tossing them into the bushes,” said David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO, in a statement. “Discarded contaminated PPE on the ground increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and has negative impacts on the environment.”