AN INCREASING number of needles and syringes are turning up in recycling bins in the Liverpool Plains Shire, putting the health of waste depot workers at risk.
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Council’s environmental health services co-ordinator Brooke Stevenson said they posed an “unacceptable threat” to the staff who had to separate recyclable materials on a conveyor belt.
The people who carry out this task should not be put at risk by thoughtless behaviour.
- Brooke Stevenson
“Under no circumstances should sharps be placed in garbage and recycling bins,” she said.
Ms Stevenson said there were sharps disposal bins in Rose Lee Park, Quirindi, and Hoamm Park, Werris Creek, that could be accessed 24/7 to ensure safe disposal of these dangerous items.
“The latest problem area seems to be the collections coming from Werris Creek and Currabubula, although we have had instances from other areas in the past,” she said.
“It is important that everyone realises that staff at the recycling plant have to physically handle the materials collected in the bins, separating bottles from cans and paper/cardboard products.
“The people who carry out this task should not be put at risk by thoughtless behaviour.”
As well as the incorrect disposal of sharps, Ms Stevenson said they were also being discarded unsafely in parks and on other public land.
“The potential for transmission of blood-borne diseases is greater when sharps are disposed of incorrectly.”
Anyone who finds sharps should not touch them but call the council on 6746 1755.