As businesses reopen or prepare to reopen offices, buildings, and retail outlets, they need to also prepare to address the influx of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) waste and plan for safe PPE disposal.
By now, many of you would have seen photos of discarded PPE tossed on streets across the country, and you probably have seen some scattered in your neighborhood too. Not only is this PPE litter contaminating the environment and contributing to the plastic pollution problem (as these materials break down and end up in sewer systems or bodies of water ), but they are also a health hazard. Used masks, gloves and other PPE have to be safely handled and disposed of to protect people and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Businesses must prepare for safe PPE disposal. They should communicate clearly what staff, building tenants, and the public should do with used PPE, and provide for the proper collection and processing of discarded PPE.
- Remember, PPE SHOULD NOT BE RECYCLED. They can get caught in and damage machinery at recycling facilities, and expose workers to contamination.
- PPE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TRASH, and discarded with proper precautions.
Need help? Give your Great Forest representative a call.
