According to the director of zero waste and resource recovery, Vancouver is experiencing medical litter. There has been an increase in medical litter during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in drug stores and grocery stores.
There are more discarded masks since the chief public health officer of Canada stated earlier this month that wearing a non-medical mask can help limit the spread of COVID-19.
The discarded material, whether it’s gloves or masks from whatever source might carry viral material from the last wearer. After being exposed in harsh environments, cold, sunlight, or wet weather, the oxidated environments break down the virus and make it non-viable. As a general rule, avoid touching any gloves on the ground.
Although Health Canada stated that wearing non-medical masks can limit the spread of the virus, the use of gloves might not help.
Although there is increasing medical litter in some areas, the city is concerned about the risk of incorrect disposal of gloves and masks. When people do not take responsibility to dispose of waste properly, it puts others at risk. Littering waste on the ground is illegal and could result in a fine. Gloves and masks are not recyclable and must be bagged and disposed of regular garbage.
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Learn how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workplaces and school admissions or check out our available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/face-masks-importance-battle-with-covid19
https://www.livescience.com/are-face-masks-effective-reducing-coronavirus-spread.html
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200504-coronavirus-what-is-the-best-kind-of-face-mask