DENR Encourages Public to Properly Dispose Face Masks and Other Healthcare Wastes
DENR reminded the Filipino people to properly dispose their face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) appealed to the Filipinos to dispose their used face masks and face shields properly amid the health crisis in order to reduce the increasing cases of COVID-19.
“Protection against COVID-19 goes beyond following the minimum health protocols and the use of face masks and face shields. Our responsibility extends to the disposal of these healthcare items which are potentially contaminated,” DENR said.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu has also emphasized the proper disposal of healthcare items due to risk that it may pose to terrestrial and aquatic animals. He said that medical wastes add to marine litter and could entangle animals.
DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Local Government Units (LGU) Concerns Benny D. Antiporda said that it is important for every family to segregate face masks from other solid wastes.
“We never thought that these healthcare wastes will end up at our doorsteps. Before, these items are just found in operating rooms of hospitals. So, let’s put our used face masks in a separate container and properly label it as household healthcare wastes, even specifically indicating it as face masks,” Antiporda said.
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Antiporda also said that coffee stirrer and plastic softdrink sreaws are considered as non-environmentally acceptable products. Plastic stirrers should be replaced with biodegradable items such as popsicle sticks.
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