Coventry-based Sherbourne Recycling has reported a significant increase in sharps discovered in recycling collections, including used weight loss needles, syringes and insulin pens.
The company’s materials recycling facility (MRF), which processes around 175,000 tonnes of mixed household waste each year, has warned that incorrectly discarded sharps put collection crews and sorting staff at risk of needlestick injuries and potentially life-altering infections.
Waste management company Suez UK has also identified weight loss jabs as a potential emerging headache for the sector, estimating that 104 million are now prescribed annually.
Suez has called for a nationwide scheme providing safe and accessible disposal routes to prevent used needles from entering recycling collections.
Risks to frontline workers
Layla Shannon, Business Development Director at Sherbourne Recycling, said the facility had experienced a notable rise in the number of sharps found on its sorting line over recent months.
She commented: “While it may be easy for residents to throw used items into the nearest bin, we’re keen to get the message out there that it puts our crews, operatives and sorting staff in real danger.”
Shannon added that needlestick injuries require urgent medical assessments and ongoing investigations because of the potential risk of blood-borne infections.
The dangers were highlighted by a recent incident in Doncaster, where a refuse worker was taken to hospital after a used weight loss needle pierced two pairs of gloves.
Following four vaccinations, several booster shots and multiple blood tests, the worker is now campaigning to raise awareness of the risks associated with improper disposal.
As well as the potential harm to staff, Sherbourne warned that sharps can disrupt operations, damage equipment and contaminate otherwise recyclable materials. Items that cannot be recycled also incur additional disposal costs.
Shannon added: “The safety of our staff is obviously the first and most important reason to clamp down, but it’s impossible to escape the commercial impact of improper sharps disposal too.”
Calls for safer disposal routes
Sherbourne said residents should not put used needles, syringes, insulin pens or weight loss jabs into household recycling bins or general waste.
Instead, sharps should be placed in a rigid, puncture-resistant container that complies with British Standards and taken to a participating community pharmacy or local GP surgery. Some residents may also be able to arrange a clinical waste collection through their local council.
Shannon explained: “Safe and careful disposal of hazardous items is easy, but better education is needed as more residents than ever consume these products in the home.”
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