Disposable face masks and other personal protective equipment are the newest finds among roadside litter. (WYDaily/Courtesy of MaxPixels)
YORK COUNTY It’s a common sight these days: a face mask left abandoned in the parking lot. Or maybe you’ve seen a random latex glove that someone left behind on a park bench.
Does it seem like you’ve been taking out the trash more than you should?
That’s because litter and trash production has increased since the start of the pandemic, and there are a few reasons why this is happening.
The first reason is pretty obvious.
YORK COUNTY Get ready, York County. The Great American Cleanup is on its way to the area.
The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program. It takes place annually with an estimated 15,000 community events nationwide. This year, York County is taking part in the effort.
“York County is proud to participate in this year’s Great American Cleanup. For more than 23 years, our citizens have volunteered their time and energy to participate in cleanup programs, including the annual Great American Cleanup events organized by Keep America Beautiful,” said Samantha McNeil, the county’s outreach coordinator.
“Due to the increased amount of trash we have seen since the start of the pandemic, it is now more important than ever to provide our citizens with a clean, healthy environment and encourage ongoing interest in keeping our County beautiful,” she added.
Localities across Virginia are experiencing an increase in roadside trash amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including more personal protective equipment being discarded on roadways, like masks and gloves.