Safe disposal of sharp objects to reduce risk for collection staff
The Council is asking residents to dispose of sharp objects more carefully in order to reduce the risk of injury to waste collection staff.
Sharp objects such as knives, hypodermic needles, drill bits, saw blades and broken glass are sometimes seen poking out of the side of residents’ black bin bags by collection staff, posing a significant safety risk.
Residents are asked to think carefully about how they dispose of these items. Sharp items suitable for disposal in collections should be wrapped up well inside black bags. For example, they can be wrapped in a newspaper or put in a cereal box, making it much safer for collection teams picking up the bag.
Residents should also leave a note on the bin or bag to alert the collection crew that there is a sharp object inside, so extra care can be taken. Once the bag is in the back of the collection vehicle, it no longer poses a hazard.
Medical sharps – including needles and syringes – should be stored in yellow sharps bins. They will be collected along with other Clinical Waste by Cwm Taf University Health Board. More information on how to arrange these collections is available on the Council’s website.
