Following recent official recommendations that people should be using face masks in situations where social distancing is not possible, some trash bins in downtown Tampere have started to overflow with discarded disposable face masks.
Pictures taken by Yle photographer Antti Eintola on Wednesday afternoon showed some bins were so packed that people couldn't use them without the risk of contaminating their hands.
To be disposed of properly, masks should be discarded in mixed waste containers, and there are directives stating that those kinds of trash bins should never be more than three-quarters full.
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Senior expert at the Institute of Occupational Health, Erja Mäkelä, said special care needs to be taken when disposing of a used face mask.
"Under no circumstances should waste that may contain coronavirus [particles] be released into the environment, and it should be easy for trash disposal staff to empty waste containers safely. There is a risk that rubbish from a full bin may spread into the environment," Mäkelä said.
Maintenance firm's plans
Municipal maintenance outfit Tampereen Infra is responsible for keeping Tampere's streets clean. The company's site manager, Teemu Kylmäkoski, said the firm is aware of the situation of full trash bins.
"We're trying to do everything we can to ensure that there are no overflowing rubbish bins and we're also trying to deliver a few bigger trash receptacles into the city centre, which could be marked for the disposal of face masks," Kylmäkoski said, adding that the firm has begun discussions with contractors and employees about the situation.
"No time is being wasted here, the message has been heard. The matter is already being addressed," he said.
However, the site manager also said that part of the responsibility of proper face mask disposal lies with the people discarding them.
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"If the bin is full, you shouldn't start stuffing it," he said.
The city is also concerned about the risks posed to people who retrieve discarded bottles and cans to cash in on deposit refunds.
"We hope that [bottle] collectors will not reach into rubbish bins now. It is particularly important that people also keep trash bin lids shut," he said.