Cole Harbour woman on COVID-19 cleanup mission

Face masks and other personal protection have become a part of everyday life as people try to stay safe and protect others during the pandemic.

But they are becoming a big problem for the environment when they are disposed of carelessly.

Sylvie Thriault of Cole Harbour, N.S., has made it her mission to do something about the litter related to COVID-19 she sees in her neighbourhood.

She said she loves to walk the trails in her neighbourhood and often takes her camera with her.The crisp autumn air and the sights and smells of nature help her to relax.

But, for the past few months, the litter she sees on her walks has been anything but relaxing.

"It became almost like a stressor because I was seeing the blue surgical masks laying around in the environment along my walks, and I was thinking I should pick that up," she said.

She said she always carried a bag with her on her walks to pick up discarded cans and water bottles so she decided to take an extra bag for her new target.

She started collecting the trash on Oct. 26.In her last five walks, she has collected 169 masks of various types, 44rubber or plastic gloves, two hairnets and two beard nets.

Winter worries

She worries thatthe problem will only get worse with winter coming.

"Plows are going to be coming by, they're going to be stuck in snow. And these things don't biodegrade," she said.

She said if people don't start picking up after themselves things are "going to be ugly."

Michael McFadden, chair of the Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association, said his members have also noticed an increase in discarded surgical masks along trails in the area.

He said he's heartened that members of the community like Thriault are working to keep a clean environment.

"It's everyone's responsibility ... not to pollute, but when they see pollution to do something about it," he said.

He asked that people be careful abouthow they handle the items they pick up and not endanger themselves by venturing into treacherous areas.

Taking precautions

Although there is no evidence that picking up masks and gloves poses a significant health risk, Thriault said the potential danger crossed her mind.

She said she is taking some precautions just in case.

"I started wearing rubber gloves the first day ... and I acquired a pair of tongs to pick them up as well," she said.

She said after she gets home and counts her daily haul, she gets to work sanitizing.

Thriault hopes that people will become more mindful about disposing masks and gloves, but she will continue her work in the meantime.

"I'm not finished," she said. "I'm going to keep on picking up as much as I can."

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