Amid the worsening of the covid-19 pandemic, it is essential that consumers reinforce preventive habits not only in the use of masks, but also in the disposal of personal hygiene products. Some of these decisions are simple in our daily lives, and can make a difference in the health of waste pickers and sorters.
The Brazilian Steel Packaging Association (Abeaço) and Prolata advise that protective masks, latex gloves (or any other type), paper tissues, wet tissues, toilet paper or similar be disposed of in containers intended for organic waste in space for recyclable items. When discarded incorrectly, these items can endanger the health of professionals, as they help to spread the disease.
The president of Abeaço, Thais Fagury, reinforces that these items have never been recyclable and that they have always required correct and safe disposal in domestic, hospital or commercial environments. “The big challenge is the guidance we need to give people, who started to use gloves and masks frequently with the arrival of the pandemic and, many times, think that these materials are recyclable after use.”
The executive also points out that, if these items are mixed with recyclables, they will have to be discarded manually by the collectors, subjecting them to contamination not only by Covid-19, but also by other microorganisms harmful to health.
Source: Disseminate - 04/13/2021
