Discarded face masks causing litter problems across Argyll

Discarded face masks are causing litter problems in parts of Argyll and Bute, councillors have claimed.

Kintyre and the Islands councillor Alastair Redman said he has had complaints from constituents over the items being left beside the road, while Oban South and the Isles councillor Jim Lynch has spotted masks hanging from trees.

Calls have been made for the council to take action about people dumping the facial protection items.

The debate took place at a virtual meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday March 4.

Councillor Redman said: ‘I have had a number of complaints from constituents about discarded medical waste, including used face masks. During the pandemic, this is a concern. Can teams be aware that we are seeing a lot of these at the side of roads?’

Council amenity services manager Jim Smith said: ‘We are aware of these.

‘Teams are picking up masks and a limited number of people are being irresponsible with where they dispose of them.

‘ We are seeing them in town centres and up glen roads and it is unacceptable. If they are actually seen doing it they can be issued with fixed penalty notices.’

Councillor Lynch added: ‘We need to keep an eye on this because it is coming up quite a lot. They are hanging from trees.

‘I initially thought they had fallen out of people’s pockets but when I walk my dog I see more than I would expect to see.’