Red wheelie bin best place for used masks

Christchurch residents can help stop single-use face masks from becoming a litter problem by taking used masks home with them and putting them in the red wheelie bin.

“We don’t want disposable face masks littering our streets or our waterways,’’ says Christchurch City Council General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory Services Jane Davis.

“Most single-use masks are made from synthetic and plastic materials that do not break down easily so we don’t want them in the environment, where they could potentially do harm.

“We also don’t want our maintenance crews having to pick up discarded face masks, which potentially contain virus particles and other bugs, from our parks and streets.

“The best way to avoid this, is for people to take their used masks home with them for disposal in the red wheelie bin,’’ Ms Davis says.

“If you do need to dispose of a mask in a public rubbish bin, please try and place it deep down in the bin so there is less chance of it blowing away in the wind.’’

Some disposable masks can be washed and re-used.