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Mask clean-up efforts scheduled for Sunday

A community mask clean-up effort is taking place across Alberta this weekend. Leaders are being sought to help with the efforts in the Lakeland region.
cleanup
A province-wide mask clean-up initiative is set for this Sunday. File photo.

LAKELAND - A clean-up initiative that started in southern Alberta has made its way north, all in the hopes of creating awareness around a specific - and somewhat newer - form of pollution.

With an increased use in face masks due to the provincial mandate that requires masks in all indoor public settings, there has also been an increase in disposable masks being tossed to the side, and not disposed of properly. 

Candice Anderson is from Vermilion and is encouraging other Albertans, especially those in northeastern Alberta, to get outside this weekend and help with clean-up efforts. A couple weeks ago, her sister and some family went out to clean up masks in Lethbridge. They found about 1,200 discarded masks in just a few hours.

Anderson was inspired, and a couple days later began putting pieces in place for a province-wide initiative.

"It's not even just an Alberta problem," she says, adding it's a problem being seen across the country, and beyond.

So, she set aside March 28 as the date for an Alberta-wide mask clean-up. So far, she knows of efforts taking place in Vermilion, Mannville, Vegreville, and she has heard interest from other communities in the region, such as Cold Lake.

While Anderson has tried her best to get the word out, she is depending on individuals in their respective communities to get the ball rolling and step up as leaders. She's shared the idea and information across social media, and is available to respond to people who have questions by email at [email protected]

Anderson is also adamant that the clean-up efforts are not political. She understands that there are many people who are either pro-mask or anti-mask, and the clean-up efforts are not about that. Instead, she would like to see people from all sides come together to accomplish a common goal.

"No matter what side you're on, the mask pollution is an issue," she says.

So far, Anderson says she's received quite a bit of interest in the initiative and overall says there's been a positive response to the idea. She's also asking residents to share the information with their municipal councils. 

On Sunday, Anderson is encouraging people to focus on cleaning up a specific area they are familiar with.

"Just clean up your own neighbourhood," she recommends. In Vermilion, the clean-up will begin around noon, but Anderson understands that some people may choose to go out and clean up on other dates or times, and that is fine.

Anderson says she will be trying to gather some statistics on how many masks are picked up in different communities, and will be using that information to create awareness around mask pollution. Ultimately, she hopes to see things like additional garbage cans put in place, and information made available to employers who can then make informed decisions about mask use. 

And while masks are the focus during the clean-up efforts on Sunday, Anderson says she's hoping people will pick up any other trash they come across. She says she's also trying to coordinate with community clean-up efforts that are already scheduled to take place.

Anderson acknowledges that there is plenty of negativity in the world right now, and hopes the clean-up effort can unite people from all walks of life in a positive way. She encourages anyone interested in the clean-up efforts to reach out to her.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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