The appearance of used needles in wastes intended for recycling seems to be remarkably common. Why this is so is difficult to define but in the absence of an effective disposal route I guess that there will be problems.

In some cases, we might consider that users are acting in a reasonable way, placing their needles into plastic bottles and drinks cans might seem to be the right thing to do in the absence of anything better. It’s our fault, not theirs, if we fail to make available a better system, though that is rarely how it goes.

Of course, many Local Authorities make it worse, recommending the retrieval of discarded needles and placing these in plastic bottles or drinks cans! And what happens then? Inevitably, there is a risk that those containers find their way into the recycling stream and turn up on a picking line with disruptive and potentially disastrous consequences. It is essential also to provide a robust system for insulin-dependent diabetics since too often these are bounced between GP, hospital and PCT with none wishing to take the hit for the supply of sharps bins and subsequent disposal costs.

Whatever the cause, accurate information is vital to point those wishing to dispose needles in the best and safest way. But still needles turn up on picking lines, yet sadly the criticism that results is not matched with more positive action to reach the root of and solve the the problem in a more constructive way.

In the US, the regulation of waste disposal and of sharps in particular, when those sharps are from domiciliary use, is far less well regulated. Though things are improving, the various States cannot get their act together to devise a simple and effective yet unified disposal plan. That results in more incidents that we see in the UK, and noted in this news report.

A substantial proportion of needle finds in recyclables might be eliminated by better disposal options, with clear and concise information provided for users. Too often, LA websites and other LA information sources provide inaccurate or plainly wrong information concerning needle disposal, or perhaps no information at all. Is that failing the root of this problem?