Needles discarded into recycling bins

Even a single discarded needle turning up in a recycling bin or found on a picking line can bring things to a shuddering halt. Yet more seriously, it can cause a needlestick injury that risks infection and guarantees months of blood tests and anguish.

So it is not surprising that Local Authorities place great emphasis on the correct disposal of used needles in an attempt to keep them out of recycling wastes. Despite this, incidents continue to occur and these are generally publicised with much shock horror to highlight the most extreme hazards that are associated with these incidents.

http://www.stawelltimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/used-syringes-found-in-recycling-bins/2165093.aspx

This latest incident, from Australia, is no different. We read of the same incidents here in the UK, and generally of the same responses. However, that sits uneasily against some of the same Local Authorities who ask those finding discarded needles to pick them up and place them into a drinks container for safekeeping.

Either it’s dangerous, or it’s not. The risk of sharps injury from a discarded needle placed into a drinks can that can later find its way to recycling do not lessen when this is done on the instruction of a Local Authority who have abrogated their responsibility for the safe collection of discarded drug litter and asked residents to do this for them.

The latest audit of Local Authority approaches to the management of discarded drug litter, and the parallel audit of community clinical wastes, has been completed and will be prepared for publication during the nexty few months. Those wishing to read the original reports can find the here (clinical wastes) and here (drug litter).

 

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