Chongqing — After the novel coronavirus outbreak, Chongqing citizens wear masks to prevent infection. And how to dispose of the discarded masks has become a concern of the public. On February 2, the reporter followed the staff of Chongqing Environmental & Sanitation Group to know the whole process of collecting and disposing of discarded masks in Downtown Chongqing.　

At a residential community located in Yubei District, we can clearly see that there is a special container for collecting discarded masks placed in the vicinity of the entrance of the community.

The sanitation worker wears special masks and gloves, is taking out the garbage bags in the container.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

First, Sanitation workers will wear special masks and gloves, take out the garbage bags in the container, and next use a spray bottle containing disinfectant water to disinfect the dustbin, and then put the garbage bags containing discarded masks on the garbage collection vehicle. The vehicles are sealed, clearly marked, and sterilized when entering and leaving the community.

The sanitation worker is using a spray bottle containing disinfectant water to disinfect the dustbin. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Finally, for the discarded masks that have been collected uniformly, they will be transported to the waste incinerator by special bus for harmless treatment. First-line operators, such as garbage collection and transportation workers, are equipped with personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves, and take temperature regularly.

"We collect masks from each community at irregular times every day in special vehicles, specially-assigned persons, and special containers," said a Chongqing Environmental & Sanitation Group worker.

Although what we collect is the discarded face mask that ordinary citizens had worn, but every procedure has a strict process, the staff said. A sanitation worker needs to use two barrels of 1 liter of disinfectant every day because of the large number of communities.

Up to now, Chongqing Environmental & Sanitation Group has collected and transported 34 trucks of the discarded masks, about 126 kg, and all have transferred to the incinerator for harmless treatment.