• Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Bath Echo
  • Thursday 12th June 2025
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Reviews
  • Letters
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Jobs
  • Awards
Bath Echo

Bath, GB

  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Home
News Headlines
Health

Council urges residents across Bath not to dump their used face masks

Friday 14th August 2020 Bath Echo News Team Community, Health, Politics

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share

Bath and North East Somerset Council has issued a plea urging people not to dump their used facemasks or gloves as litter in parks, open spaces and streets across the local area.

As part of the council’s anti-littering campaign, ‘Don’t be a tosser’, a reminder is going out about properly disposing of unwanted face coverings, gloves or personal protective equipment.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: “This is a plea to people to safely dispose of their used and unwanted facemasks or gloves.

“Our cleansing teams shouldn’t have to pick these up and put themselves at risk. You can’t recycle them either so please make sure they are properly disposed of in your general waste bin.

“We had a hugely positive response to the launch of our ‘Don’t be a tosser’ campaign and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us.

“Littering has a huge impact on our environment, wildlife and makes life unpleasant for everyone who wants to enjoy our beautiful open spaces.”

Anyone who is caught littering can be issued with a £150 fixed penalty notice from the council’s in-house enforcement team.

Current government advice when removing a face covering is:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before removing
  • Only handle the straps, ties or clips
  • Do not give it to someone else to use
  • If single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle
  • If reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed.

Face coverings are not classified as PPE (personal protective equipment), which is used in a limited number of settings to protect wearers against hazards and risks, such as surgical masks or respirators used in medical and industrial settings.

They are instead largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection.

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share
Next article Two men arrested following sudden death on footpath along the River Avon
Previous article Bath-based Wessex Water recognised for health and safety performance

Related Stories

Plans to remove ‘unsafe’ historic canopy in centre for vital repairs
Thursday 12th June 2025

Plans to remove ‘unsafe’ historic canopy in centre for vital repairs

Ceremony held to welcome Bath’s first mayor of Indian heritage
Thursday 12th June 2025

Ceremony held to welcome Bath’s first mayor of Indian heritage

Keynsham car park to close for two weeks for “remedial works”
Thursday 12th June 2025

Keynsham car park to close for two weeks for “remedial works”

...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow

Top Stories

Plans to remove ‘unsafe’ historic canopy in centre for vital repairs

Plans to remove ‘unsafe’ historic canopy in centre for vital repairs

Thursday 12th June 2025
Lovehoney plans warehouse extension to help with future growth

Lovehoney plans warehouse extension to help with future growth

Thursday 12th June 2025
Ceremony held to welcome Bath’s first mayor of Indian heritage

Ceremony held to welcome Bath’s first mayor of Indian heritage

Thursday 12th June 2025
Keynsham car park to close for two weeks for “remedial works”

Keynsham car park to close for two weeks for “remedial works”

Thursday 12th June 2025
Five candidates announced for upcoming Mendip by-election

Five candidates announced for upcoming Mendip by-election

Wednesday 11th June 2025
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
  • Back to top
Created by Media Bath - Regulated by IMPRESS

About the Bath Echo | Your City, Your News

We're your local independent newspaper covering news and events across beautiful Bath and the close surrounding villages. We're here to help keep Bathonians in the know about what's going on in their city.

Useful Info

  • House Rules
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Social Media Policy
© Bath Echo 2025. All rights reserved.
Produced by Media Bath Limited