The garbage collectors are angry. In several cities, French people indeed throw their masks and gloves on the street, on the ground. "We should give them brooms. They do not deserve masks these people " , deplored the account" Éboueurs de Paris "on Twitter, Thursday, May 14. In the photos, you can see used masks and gloves hanging on the ground or hanging on street furniture.
In early April, the same Twitter account had already complained about the lack of civility of some. "Are we talking about those who throw their mask and handkerchief on the ground?" No respect. We are garbage collectors but we have a family. Isn't it (sic) complicated to throw it in a street bin? ” , he wrote.
Imagine a kid passing by who would play with this waste
Régis Vieceli, secretary general of the CGT cleaning union of the City of Paris“It is incivism. It is a potential danger for garbage collectors and ordinary citizens. Imagine a kid passing by who would play with this waste, " explains to Figaro Régis Vieceli, secretary general of the CGT cleaning union of the City of Paris.
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The union member claims to have many feedbacks from the field. In the capital, the waste left anywhere (masks, gloves but also sometimes overcoats) would not be an epiphenomenon. "Currently, it's more than frequent," confirm us Parisian garbage collectors.
“Already in normal times, it is not done throwing your papers on the street. But even less this kind of medical equipment that can be contaminated by the virus. After us, we're going to sweep it up and pick it up. We also know that the Covid can stay alive for a long time, ” continues Régis Vieceli.
Many citizens share this outrage. “Place de Clichy, which is my neighborhood, we see masks and gloves thrown on the sidewalks. It is a total incivility, a lack of hygiene and disrespect for our garbage collectors ” , testifies thus a local resident on Twitter. "The tree legs have become garbage cans!" , engages a resident of the 17th arrondissement.
In Toulouse too
In the Pink City, the journalist Guillaume Pannetier noted similar drifts, with several masks left on the pavements and the public way. The mayor of Toulouse even reacted on social networks by asking residents to throw their masks and gloves in the trash cans.
As a reminder, the Ministry of Ecological Transition had relayed clear instructions, as of March 23, regarding waste management. “Individuals are asked to dispose of used handkerchiefs, masks and gloves in a dedicated, resistant plastic bag with a functional closure system. This bag must be carefully closed and kept for 24 hours before being placed in the plastic bag for household waste , ” said the ministry.