LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. -- A volunteer group, Keep Lincoln County Beautiful, regularly cleans the highways, streets, and neighborhoods of litter.

In the past, group executive director, Jeanette Johnson says they have seen, on occasion, latex gloves and used masks. In the past couple of days however, the amount of used PPE they are seeing dumped on the side of the road is growing.

The CDC recommended the public use masks this week, but Johnson doesn't want to see it ending up where it doesn't belong.

"This can also litter our water," says Johnson. "No one wants to pick up litter, but who wants to pick up litter that could be contaminated with Coronavirus?"

In North Carolina it is a Class 3 misdemeanor to litter, with fines from $250 to $1,000.