Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
49º

How to safely remove and dispose of rubber gloves

GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. – While many are wearing masks and gloves to stay safe, some aren’t disposing of them correctly.

It’s become a troubling sight in parking lots and sidewalks across Metro Detroit and two grandparents in Grosse Pointe Woods decided to do something about it.

RELATED: Residents tired of seeing gloves, masks left behind instead of disposed of properly

They’re not touching the masks and gloves people have carelessly thrown away. Jim and Valerie Champine don’t want to catch coronavirus themselves, but they’re on a mission to keep their community clean and safe.

For two decades, the couple has been a regular sight walking four miles around their neighborhood in Grosse Pointe Woods.

“Well, we walk everyday anyway,” Jim Champine said. “Now that we have nothing to do, we walk twice a day.”

Since the stay-at-home order was put in place, they noticed something troubling along their route -- gloves and masks discarded improperly.

The two said they have used a picker to pick up about two dozen masks, wipes and gloves everyday.

RELATED: Harper Woods residents tired of seeing gloves, masks left behind instead of disposed of properly

They take precautions, using a picker and disposing of the garbage bag before they enter their home.

“It’s just disgusting how people can walk out the door and throw it down and pick up their germs,” Valerie Champine said.

They make sure they never touch the discarded masks and gloves. But hope the the people investing in this gear will think twice before leaving it behind.

MORE: Washington Township officials remind people not to flush latex gloves down the toilet

Anyone who believes they might have coronavirus should follow the CDC guidelines. Michigan.gov has a list of resources available to those concerned about COVID-19.

More information on coronavirus (COVID-19):


About the Authors
Priya Mann headshot

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Dane Kelly headshot

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

Loading...

Recommended Videos