Dispose of face masks, plastic gloves and sanitizing wipes in the garbage

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham would like to remind residents to help reduce litter in the community and blockages in our sanitary sewer system. Items such as face masks, plastic gloves and sanitizing wipes should be disposed of in the garbage not on the ground or in the toilet. They are not recyclable.

Why: Face masks, plastic gloves and sanitizing wipes must be disposed of in the garbage. The increase in litter is having a negative impact on our wildlife and the environment. These items are also not recyclable. Likewise, flushing these items down the toilet can cause blockages in the sanitary sewer system. Even if they are labelled as flushable, they should be disposed of in the garbage. Only human waste and small amounts of toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.

Note: Please ensure when you are disposing of these items, that all garbage is bagged and securely tied when put out by the curb for collection; and ensure that green bag organic waste is bagged in 100 per cent compostable bags. Any loose garbage or loose organics will not be collected. Recycling must be loose inside the blue box, not in plastic bags. Recycling set out in plastic bags will not be collected. Please do not approach collection staff and respect the physical distance of two metres (six feet).

For more information on our waste management programs, please visit durham.ca/Waste, email Waste@durham.ca, call 905-697-5300 (toll-free at 1-800-667-5671) or download the Durham Region Waste App at durham.ca/WasteApp.

For more information on our sanitary sewer system, please visit durham.ca/ThinkBeforeYouFlush.

- 30 -

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.