The streets of New York are mired in garbage: a city activist alone cleans a metropolis

Coronavirus debris, such as used medical gloves and masks, has flooded the streets of New York. Environmentalists and activists are sounding the alarm - after all, we are talking not only about environmental pollution, but also about the health of citizens. The cycle of waste in nature and the importance of being conscious is discussed in the video of the publication "Voice of America".

Ryan McKenzie runs a small cafe in New York at normal times. Now he has taken an active position and seeks to clean up the city, mired in trash amid the pandemic. He single-handedly removes medical gloves and masks from the streets, urging others to do the same. “This is a disgusting human habit. Unfortunately, many people think that it's okay to take it and throw it away (garbage - Ed.). It annoys me terribly, ”he says.

In the first days after the introduction of quarantine, the streets of New York became much cleaner. Now, on the curbs, sidewalks and even flower beds, a huge amount of masks and gloves are used. An activist walks the streets of the city and picks up these items with the help of a new capture for garbage collection - the former was stolen directly from under the doors of his cafe.

Cleaning in New York almost stopped due to quarantine. Therefore, it is now especially important to maintain cleanliness and not litter.

According to Adriana Esposito, director of the CCE environmental organization, it is very important to take care of your health during a pandemic. However, it is important to remain conscious while doing this. “We need to protect the environment,” she says. "If you took off your protective items, throw them in the trash."

Meanwhile, activists and environmentalists are sounding the alarm. Utilities explain the seemingly obvious things. Belinda Mager of the Public Utilities Authority emphasized that masks and gloves should be disposed of properly “for the safety of our workers and for the sake of the general order”.

But judging by the picture that today is observed on the streets of Manhattan, not all citizens work together with communal services.

In addition to the fact that rubbish on the asphalt does not look aesthetically pleasing, it also poses a threat to others. After all, it is not known who previously wore a discarded mask. "Infection is possible through discarded objects that carry coronavirus, if then a person accidentally touches his face, mouth or eyes," said virologist Saskia Popeski.

Another side effect of the pandemic is the plastic bags that New York so painstakingly squeezed out of their lives. Now they are back in even greater numbers.

The ban on the use of plastic bags was to enter into force on March 1 (more about this law read in this material) Many New Yorkers even managed to get reusable bags. But then the epidemic came, and the new rules were all put off until later. The new deadline for the ban to take effect is June 15th. However, experts say that from the point of view of combating the virus, disposable packages are safer. Therefore, coronavirus debris will be even greater.

On the subject: Amazing data: how quarantine changed New York

New York's beaches are also littered with used COVID-19 defenses. What birds and animals will not eat will disintegrate into microplastics, which will then end up on our tables. “You get mussels flavored with microplastics. You get it with fish. The bigger the fish, the more plastic, ”explained Esposito.

Even before the pandemic, New York spent $ 20 million a year on the fight against so-called fat deposits in the urban sewer system. The latter accumulated from personal hygiene products. With the pandemic, this list of funds was replenished with rubber gloves. But the problem is that treatment systems cannot always recognize them.

As ForumDaily New York wrote earlier, in 2019 in the city of New York officially banned the use of foam packaging. Now they want to extend such a ban to the entire state.