Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Can you see signs of mask pollution where you live?

Hosted by: Emilie Ridard

What are the authorities doing to tackle it? Are you aware of any environmental initiatives in this field?

From the article What’s being done about mask and glove pollution?



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Suzanne
Suzanne
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Yes, we also have used masks lying everywhere on the paths, on the roadside and in fields and in the forest in the most remote places. I have not yet noticed that the authorities are doing anything about it.

Ja, auch bei uns liegen überall auf den Wegen, am Straßenrand und auf Feldern und im Wald an den abgelegendsten Stellen gebrauchte Masken. Ich habe bisher nicht mitbekommen, dass die Behörden etwas dagegen tun.

Maplesuisse
Maplesuisse

Many people in this country wear the fabric masks and just wash them. No, I haven't noticed mask pollution, but we don't live in high density urban areas

disec70919
disec70919

My husband and I bought 2 cotton masks in February. We still have the same masks even though after 2 hand washes they have some large holes and you can see through the material, but nobody cares and neither do we. It is good for the environment.

bepemib106
bepemib106

I see them everywhere polluting social interraction. Nobody smiles and all the people are sad and afraid. This is an awful mask world.

alscherer@protonmail.com
alscherer@protonmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Cancel masks law

Masken Gesetz kündigen

asesow
asesow

We cheer for the bus drivers. None of them uses a mask so they cause no mask pollution.

Otherwise, our masks had a label saying they are biodegradable, so it will not matter if people throw theirs away on the street. They're not made of plastic, just cotton.

Lynx
Lynx

It's not a big problem. Just like any other litter. But maybe the mask-police could put a stop to it by fining mask droppers.

HAT
HAT

Fortunately in my areas, there is only the odd 1 or 2 masks lying on the floor.
People still do not UNDERSTAND this. Wearing a mask is protecting OTHER PEOPLE. It is not about protecting the mask-wearer. This is so annoying for people who wear masks wrongly (for example their noses are exposed) and they talk very loudly when they choose their fruits or vegetables at the supermarkets, spitting their saliva all over the produce. People here are mostly law-abiding but they are not very educated or they don't want to follow rules. Sad.
Like used cigarettes, it takes only 10 seconds to roll up a used mask and dispose of it in the rubbish bin. People who throw the used masks onto the floor, should face a heavy penalty. 500chf fine.

Denise Pereira Curi
Denise Pereira Curi

Yes, it is common to see masks lying on the streets. I've seen some government campaigns asking for them to be thrown in the correct trash. There are specific masks collectors' on the beaches of Porto. But, it seems that the population is not sufficiently sensitized. Sim, é comum vermos máscaras caídas nas ruas. Já vi algumas campanhas do governo pedindo para que elas sejam jogadas no lixo correto. Há nas praias do Porto coletores específicos para mascaras. Mas, parece que a população não está suficientemente sensibilizada.

PropD
PropD

The coronavirus is turning into one BIG fiasco. Something we didn't need. I think since they've made mask wearing mandatory the government should pay for them and the person's health provider can send the masks to them in the mail or people can pick-up free ones at Migros or something. Unfortunately, the government has created a monster they are unable to slay.

terminator1967
terminator1967
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Hello, I also notice as a Swiss abroad, that more and more masks are simply thrown away carelessly.do not understand that, the masks are simply thrown on the street after use. With us are even some in the staircase. In the backyard and in the tram.I throw them in the trash cansbig problem in this country.

Hallo auch ich stelle als Auslandschweizer fest ,das immer mehr Masken einfach achtlos weggeworfen werden.Verstehe das nicht, das Masken nach Gebrauch einfach auf die Straße geworfen werden. Bei uns sind sogar welche im Treppenhaus. Im Hinterhof und im Tram.Ich werfe sie in die Müllbehältergroßes Problem auch hierzulande.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR