NEWRY, ME – JANUARY 23: A discarded mask on the ground in the parking lot of Sunday River on Saturday, January 23, 2021. (Staff photo by Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer) Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

SCARBOROUGH—Due to the COVID-19 surge there has been an increased use of and demand for disposable masks. In turn, the Town of Scarborough has seen an increased number of masks littering the ground. Town officials are asking people to please throw away their masks in the trash bin when finished using them, according to the town website from a recent Which Bin Wednesday segment.

In addition, town officials said, “the wildlife will thank you for cutting the ear loops so they don’t become tangled in them.”

Although Scarborough has not done so, several nearby communities like South Portland, Portland, Brunswick, Bath and Freeport have all implemented an emergency indoor mask mandate until the COVID-19 surge decreases. People ages 2 and up are required to wear a face covering or mask when inside public spaces. You can find more information on those towns’ websites.