A Fife recycling plant was brought to a standstill when a sharps bin was found on the picking line.

Of course, that should not happen, and those involved are right to be concerned. In this case, sharps were in a sharps bin rather than loose which would have been far more dangerous. The local authority and the regional NHS service are said to be reminding residents about the care required in disposal of sharps, and rightly so. Less impressive is the absence of a comment to say we are looking at our disposal arrangements to see if they could be improved, to enhance compliance and prevent disposal errors but Hey Ho, that would be too much to expect.

There are some interesting illustrations in the news report and its embedded video.

Firstly, there are two distinctly different types of sharps bin shown. Why take the lids off, and why pull out a handful of syringes to provide a photo opportunity? To confirm the identity of the contents perhaps, or to make some sort of statement, to the press or others? Either way, that is a grossly irresponsible action.

Take a look….

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/east-central/297902-container-full-of-used-needles-found-in-recycling/