Meet the Toronto man who’s picked up over 4,000 discarded masks during the pandemic

Marc Dunn began working from home when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, and like many in that predicament, he began going on daily walks for some exercise, serenity and sanity.

But rather than peace of mind, he ended up feeling perturbed when he began noticing dozens of discarded surgical masks littering the roads and laneways near his home in the Weston and Rogers roads area of York.

Dunn, a community engagement and crime prevention specialist who writes poetry, dubbed the discarded masks “the new urban tumbleweed.”

“These things that are blowing through the neighbourhood,” the 41-year-old remarks.

“I started thinking that’s really ignorant that people are doing that and I thought I could talk to the business association or whatever.”

Later, while scanning social media he saw posts about animals becoming stuck in personal protective equipment (PPE) waste. At first he assumed they were photoshopped.

“I thought this can’t be real. A couple weeks later a squirrel came into my yard that was caught up in a mask. I realized this is actually a real thing,” Dunn says.

That’s when he dropped his plans to complain to the BIA, and started picking the masks up himself.

“I thought I’m going to do this at least once a week, pair it up with getting some exercise … I was like ‘instead of just complaining about it, why don’t I do something because I’m out here anyway.'”

So in April 2020, he began his weekly, six-block PPE patrols.

Weekend #PPE patrol Half hour, few dozen. All earloops cut before disposal. #Community pic.twitter.com/WkzczRh17l

— Marc Dunn (@RealMarcDunn) April 24, 2021

“The first few weeks that I started doing it, I bought one of those grabby sticks and I would go around and pick them up. I think the first couple weeks I would get like 60 in an hour.”

Dunn says some weeks he’s collected more than 100 masks, but on average he’ll pluck around 50 during his hour walk. He estimates he’s picked up more than 4,000 masks since April 2020.

But he doesn’t just collect the masks and toss them. Wearing his own PPE, he first dumps the masks in his backyard and meticulously cuts the loops off each one to prevent animals from becoming entangled in them.

Weekend #PPE patrol complete. I used to be saddened at all the PPE I’d see on the streets of my community. One day I decided, instead of complaining, to do something about it. I’ve met so many neighbors during these walks. #CommunityEngagement pic.twitter.com/oWmjp3n7nB

— Marc Dunn (@RealMarcDunn) June 13, 2021

The work, while at times daunting, has been rewarding.

“Aside from the personal gain I get from doing it, like ‘hey, I did something good today’ I’ve had a really good response from the community,” Dunn says.

“I’ve had folks on bikes and in vehicles stop as I was doing this and they stop for a conversation or roll their window down and give me the thumbs up and say ‘hey we appreciate it.'”

Local businesses have also been quick to run out and offer him a complimentary espresso or baked treat.

Another weekend #PPE patrol in the books. Had a lovely conversation with a local bakery staff member and accepted a free espresso, no afternoon naps today! #community pic.twitter.com/FWQHcG8OZt

— Marc Dunn (@RealMarcDunn) May 29, 2021

Lately, he says he’s collecting fewer masks than usual. That could be a result of loosening pandemic rules, but Dunn thinks his ‘lead by example’ approach is working.

“I think it fostered some community responsibility and ownership,” he maintains. “People are taking an interest in it and thinking maybe next time I won’t throw my mask on the ground.”

In the end, he’s happy to forego the odd afternoon nap to make his community a little better.

“Instead of just looking at a problem and not providing a solution, it’s very, very easy to get involved,” he concludes. “Everything somebody does, even if it’s an hour a week, it obviously makes a difference, so do what you can and go for it.”