Tossing Your Gloves and Masks in the Parking Lot Could Cost You $100s
MERRICK, NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Pat's Farms grocery store worker John Fedash cleans up the used gloves left in the parking lot and shopping carts. Since the coronavirus pandemic people have been discarding used gloves on the ground rather than dispensing them in the trash. The World Health Organization declared coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
If you’ve been in a grocery store parking lot lately, chances are, you’ve seen masks, gloves and disinfectant wipes tossed on the ground.
Remember, that’s called littering, and it’s actually illegal.
The Michigan State Police #Michiganders this is not the way to dispose of PPE. I found these and more in a parking lot at a local grocery store. Some by garbage cans. This is littering and someone else has to utilize gloves to clean these up. #Littering is a crime. #BeSafe & #Healthy. pic.twitter.com/3Bv79q2C4S
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) April 8, 2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted out a friendly reminder that “littering is a crime,” captioning some photos of PPE left carelessly on the street.
If you’re caught throwing your gear on the ground instead of in a trash can, you could be fined– and it’s a pretty penny.
Fines vary, but according to the Michigan Legislature, litter amounting to less than one cubic foot could bring a fine of up to $800 and litter amounting to greater than one cubic foot could be fined up to $1,500.
By throwing your used gear into the trash can, you’re not only avoiding a fine– you’re also protecting those around you from being exposed to your germs.
So, do the right thing, and trash it.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.