NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and Keep Tennessee Beautiful to encourage people not to litter with their discarded face masks and gloves.
TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said the department has seen an increase in single-use masks and gloves along roads and intersections.
The "Nobody Trashes Tennessee" campaign highlights the proper disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Single use masks, gloves, and wipes should not be placed into any recycling containers or disposed of on the ground. Improper disposal creates health and environmental hazards.
- All PPE should be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
- Wearing a reusable or cloth mask instead of single-use masks can reduce the amount of PPE waste going to landfills and help fight the spread of COVID-19.
“In these unusual times, unusual problems arise, and the litter of personal protective equipment is an example,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “We encourage all Tennesseans to be mindful of this issue and maintain their commitment to the beauty of our state. We are grateful to TDOT and Keep Tennessee Beautiful for their partnership in this effort.”
TDOT says it is spending $15 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education and has decreased the amount of roadside litter by 43% since 2006. Still, at any given time, nearly 100 million pieces of litter occur on Tennessee roadsides.
