Blenkharn Environmental have previously published the detail results of nationwide audits of clinical waste (including sharps) collections for domiciliary producers and of discarded drug litter by and on behalf of Local Authorities. The results make grim reading, and as we have discussed previously on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum this don’t really get better over time.
Now a complaint by a resident of Kent perturbed about the appearance of a (hopefully) sealed sharps bin placed outside a block of flats in Westerham, Kent, the responsibility of Sevenoaks District Council.
“Stephen Hodges spotted the box at 6am on May 18 when taking his dog out for a walk and was worried that it might be found and opened by children living on the estate.
“He immediately called the police and the box was collected at about 7.30am, but Mr Hodges was surprised to find that Sevenoaks District Council had arranged for the bin to be left there.
Read more: http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/needles-bin-left-outside-apartments/story-19134428-detail/story.html?goback=%2Egde_3922020_member_245998996#ixzz2V4hdaglU
Realistically, he needn’t have been too worried and there was no need to contact the Police. Whatever the circumstances, the sharps bin was possibly in for a long wait until collection no matter what.
The bin of used needles left has sparked calls for the council to change its policy on collecting medical waste. It was left outside the communal entrance to a block of flats and one resident fears the oversight could have caused a public health disaster.
Well, of course it could. Though ‘public health disaster’ is perhaps a bit too strong. Almost every Local Authority in the UK expects home generators of clinical and sharps waste to leave it on the doorstep or at the curtilage to await collection. Early morning presentation is the norm, with o guarantee of a timed pickup, so wastes may be left in situ for hours or even overnight.
Complaint to HSE or to the Environment Agency – it’s not really an issue of the Police – but don’t expect any action. It’s too difficult and diffuse a problem and one that is not cost-effective to consider addressing. And anyway, they like sitting on their hands!