Study finds masks break into micro plastics that can pollute waterways March 23, 2021

Plastic bottles and grocery bags have long been the culprits of increased plastic waste around the world. The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a third culprit—disposable face masks, Fox News reports. Although the masks are made of plastic microfibers, there have been little to no guidelines on how to recycle them.

In a study published in the journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey found that the masks cannot be readily biodegraded and may fragment into smaller plastic particles, namely micro-and nano plastics, that can become widespread in ecosystems. With people worldwide using nearly 130 billion disposable face masks each month, scientists warned that the masks will be contributing to the ongoing plastic problem unless recycling measures are taken.

Production of disposable masks is at a similar scale as plastic bottles. While 25% of plastic bottles are currently being recycled, face masks are being disposed of as solid waste due to the lack of recycling guidelines. When not properly collected, masks can be transported from land into freshwater and marine environments by surface run-off, river flows, ocean currents, wind, and animals that become entangled in the masks or ingest them.

Researchers offered the following suggestions to lessen disposable masks’ effects on the environment: 

• Set up mask-only trash cans for collection and disposal
• Consider standardization, guidelines, and strict implementation of waste management for mask wastes
• Replace disposable masks with reusable face masks like cotton masks
• Consider development of biodegradable disposal masks.

#EvergreenbInstallServices #EvergreenProjectManagement #Recycle

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Researchers offered the following suggestions to lessen disposable masks’ effects on the environment: 

• Set up mask-only trash cans for collection and disposal
• Consider standardization, guidelines, and strict implementation of waste management for mask wastes
• Replace disposable masks with reusable face masks like cotton masks
• Consider development of biodegradable disposal masks.

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TAGSEnvironment and SustainabilityCOVID-19

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Cleaning Company Fined for Underpaying Temporary Foreign Workers

March 23, 2021

The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Universal Cleaners LLC for violating the pay requirements of its temporary foreign workers, Up North Live reports.  

The Traverse City, Michigan-based company will pay US$56,734 in back wages to 10 workers who provided janitorial services for the company but were paid less than the required prevailing wage rate. The company will also pay $51,309 in civil penalties.

Universal Cleaners hired the employees through the H-2B visa program, which helps supply employers with temporary foreign workers they need while protecting U.S. workers’ access to the same jobs. However, the company violated the H2-B visa program on several counts including:

• Failing to advertise to U.S. workers that housing would be provided with this job
• Failing to subject potential employees to drug tests and lifting requirements although it advertised to U.S. workers that the job was subject to these stipulations
• Paying temporary foreign workers $10.50 and $11.25 per hour instead of the required prevailing wage rate for janitorial work of $12.56 per hour
• Employing a temporary foreign worker to do landscaping, despite being hired to work as a janitor.
• Failing to reimburse guest workers for their expenses traveling from and returning to their home countries.
• Applying for temporary foreign workers for employment from April 1 to November 30 but employing some workers outside of that period.
• Failing to notify proper authorities of the separation of one of the temporary foreign workers.

Universal Cleaners has agreed to use a controller to oversee all hiring, payroll and employment practices involving temporary foreign workers in the future.