A group of volunteers are planning a provincewide spring clean-up this weekend, with the aim of properly disposing of littered face masks.

Candice Anderson is a resident of Vermillion. She and her sister Alyssa Kusalik are challenging all Albertans, including Cochranites to volunteer their time and clean up the communities we call home.

Anderson strongly believes that disposable face masks are adding to an existing problem of waste and pollution in our neighbourhoods.

"With the mandated PPE that's happening, it's just resulting in another layer of additional pollution to the already existing problems that were there," she says.

Anderson says that with the melting snow and nicer weather in recent weeks, she has taken the opportunity to go for walks in her neighbourhood. She says that the number of littered face masks she has come across is problematic. 

She says that in a five-block radius, she picked up 87 masks in total.

She recruited five more people to help her and says that together they picked up 1200 masks in approximately three hours. 

Anderson and Kusalik came up with the idea of a provincewide cleanup, and they say that no matter what your stance is on wearing a face-covering, this is an opportunity to "to make a difference and lead by example."  

"Albertans can still find a common thread to stand together for the common good," says Anderson. 

She recognizes that there are many different opinions when it comes to COVID rules and regulations, and she is calling for Albertans to be part of the solution.

"Here's a problem that needs a solution right now let's ban together, no matter your opinion and to make an effort for the betterment of our communities," says Anderson.

The provincewide clean-up is scheduled for this Sunday (March 28). Here in Cochrane, we are expecting mild weather and favourable conditions for a community clean-up. 

Anderson is reminding all volunteers taking part in the community clean-up to abide by COVID-19 safety protocols and make sure that the picked-up face masks are properly disposed of in the appropriate waste bins.