RATES OF disposable face masks being littered across Reading and Bracknell have soared, according to the latest statistics.

Data was revealed on the rates of disposable face masks being littered in both the Reading and the Bracknell areas yesterday, Monday, January 25, revealing a total of 157,358 masks being dropped in these areas combined every day.

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This breaks down to 118,958 masks being dropped in Reading per day, and 38,400 per day in Bracknell.

Charlotte Green, of TradeWaste, said: “Used masks are tricky and you should not touch a used mask – they should be treated like any other potentially contaminated material and only handled professionally using the right protecting equipment.

Reading Chronicle:

"there are obvious risks associated with coming into contact with a used mask.

“The way to tackle this potential environmental disaster is for everyone to move towards washable reusable masks, not only will this cut down on single use mask litter, but it also reduces the environmental impacts of manufacturing 19.5 billion plastic masks in the first place."

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It is believed many of the masks are either simply dropped or simply fall out of people's pockets.

Ms Green added: "As a country we have worked so hard to reduce plastic consumption, yet we are sleepwalking into another nightmare."

For more information, visit www.tradewaste.co.uk/.