Should we be using bio hazard bins for used masks?

[SquirtleSquad]

There's a thread running on my local town Facebook page about the safe disposal of masks - which has now turned into a huge bun fight about everything under the sun other than the actual question asked (which is why I thought I'd ask here because I was actually interested to see what was said!)

The original question was - if this is such a deadly and serious virus should the council provide bio hazard / separate bins in public spaces and around areas where masks must be worn for the safe disposal of used masks?

As a town we have experienced huge challenges with litter in general (we are on of those really popular beach towns that's been all over the news) and there have been an awful lot of single use masks dumped and littered in car parks, beaches, outside shops and in the road.
One of the arguments is that if people are the sort to litter then even if there are special bins provided they still wouldn't bother using them.

Others are saying it's a conspiracy theory and corona virus isn't real and it's gone off in a weird tangent now.. so I'm hoping to avoid that sort of thing here

Forgot to add.. the other topic that was covered was obviously the preference to not use single use masks that will fill up landfill and the merit of using reusable masks but it's evident (here at least) that single use masks are still very common and are specifically being dumped about the place.

I would suggest that people shouldn't be rummaging around in public rubbish bins without gloves on, and if they do for any reason then they should wash their hands, gloves or no gloves, before they touch their faces. Job done.

'We' should be using reusable masks unless we work in a healthcare setting. Funny how concerns for the environment went out the window in the face of covid. Councils are all strapped for money. This is a shitstorm.

That didn't really answer your question, sorry. No. You don't need separate special bins, but viruses could be on a discarded tissue, coke can, bottle, crisp packet so anyone clearing up after inconsiderate idiots should wear gloves, use litter pickers and wash their hands afterwards (like the council staff would be doing when they empty the bins/clear up).

I think same applies to any rubbish we were told the virus can live on metal plastic cardboard for days so in theory a drinks can or packet could still have germs on if you touched the litter and then put your hands in your mouth. I think seeing some masks looks more dirty as we link them with hospital waste and seems grim.

@sleepyhead don't apologise I agree with what you said, in both cases.

"Officially" this is the guidance on it..
Public Health England guidelines regarding the safe disposal of waste to reduce the risks of spreading the virus.
The guidelines ask for you to seal personal waste such as tissues and PPE in smaller plastic bags and store them for 72 hours before putting them in the general waste bin.

But I don't see that happening.

Our council asked us to double bag and isolate rubbish for 72hrs before bin day if someone in the house had corona symptoms, and the house was isolating. But that's household waste, and much simpler to do.

The dumping of rubbish in public spaces has been horrific during corona. I dont even think providing more bins is the answer, as some people seem incapable of using them .

On community visits we seal them in a normal bin bag and ask the family to leave it 72 hours before chucking them in the normal waste.

Families who get a lot of healthcare visits tend to have set up a bin specially to cut down the number of bin bags as it rapidly adds up!

However outside of healthcare reusable masks are fine, and as others have said the virus could be on anything so it is precautionary.

I don't think we need special bins.

But we do need enough bins, so people don't need to dump alongside as there is enough space. And they are best when lidded, or constructed with a roof so contents do not blow out easily.

And most importantly, we need everyone to use the bins always, and take their litter with then until they find one.

By way of comparison we also bin sanitary pads, nappies, dressings, etc ... even if you have a catheter for example anything from that (bags, tubing etc) can go in a normal bin. Also animal waste . Any of them could be carrying a virus or bacteria and probably much more likely to be doing so than a face mask (given covid isn’t thought to be being actively transmitted by the vast majority of us) .

Those handling waste would be aware of those risks anyway and already taking precautions eg gloves I guess . The material in your bin isn’t typically rummaged through anyway .

I do remember before that they said if you had confirmed covid you should isolate all your rubbish for 72h and then bin it . Not sure if that still applies !

Just realised you said public bin but I suppose that still applies - you can certainly bin any of the above in a public bin ... and I suppose there’s more risk that you’re going to come across needles too ...

Suppose one of the answers is to not use surgical masks or pop one on when leaving home and not remove until you arrive back at home ! Or take nappy sacks and bag and bin later at home ...

I think if someone is happy to chuck their mask on the floor they probably also chuck all their other rubbish on the floor. It's not due to lack of bins, you can always find a bin or take rubbish home with you so it's pure laziness.

Only 1 in 2500 of the population had it within a week last time I checked the ons reports, so the chances of encountering a covid contaminated mask is very slim.