TDOT, TDEC seeing 'massive increase' in PPE litter

TDOT, TDEC seeing 'massive increase' in PPE litter

Desks before and after class.

As the coronavirus pandemic has emerged, so has the use of p-p-e.

So folks are using more of the protective equipment.

Now, officials want folks to be mindful of where used items need to go.

The use of personal protective equiptment is encouraged and in some cases required for folks to wear.

But after they're used it seems they're not being thrown away properly.

Keep tennessee beautiful executive director missy marshall: "the department of transportation and tdec have been seeing a massive increase in ppe, personal protective equiptment litter."

Keep tennessee beautiful executive director missy marshall says they're seeing items like single-use masks, gloves and hand sanitizer bottles.

Keep tennessee beautiful executive director missy marshall: "we're seeing more of this on the roadways and parking lots of businesses such as grocery stores and home improvement stores like home depot and lowes."

Tdot, tdec and keep tennessee beautiful are partnering up to raise awareness about the litter and how to dispose of it properly.

Keep tennessee beautiful executive director missy marshall: "if you have a one-time use mask to not put that in a recycling bin, but put that in a trash bin to reduce the amount of that litter, try to use reusable masks that you can wash and clean."

Marshall says through litter campaigns they have been able to reduce litter in general.

Keep tennessee beautiful executive director missy marshall: "but, now seeing the increase in these particular items it's just, you know, it's, it's, it's concerning just because, because you do run the risk of you know, of infected items such as masks, gloves in our enviornment."

Marshall recommends folks carry a bag in their car to dispose items. it's a way to help reduce the amount of litter.

Marshall says tdot has alreadly been spending around 15 million dollars a year addressing litter issues.

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