The Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre is sending out a reminder about the importance of safety disposing needles. When needles, syringes, lancets and auto-injectors are not properly disposed of they pose a health risk to the community, collection staff and Waste Recovery Centre employees who hand sort recyclables. Most pharmacies offer sharps containers and disposal services free of charge. There are also needle drop boxes throughout the City of Pembroke.
“Being exposed to needles and sharps is an unnecessary risk waste management workers face.” Comments Sue McCrae, General Manager of the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre. “Needles do not belong in the recycling or regular garbage, and we want to make sure residents are aware of how easy it is to safely dispose of sharps.”
Laurie Benjamin, OVWRC Diversion Supervisor explains the safety concerns when needles are placed in recycling. “Recyclables are hand sorted by staff so if a needle is mixed with recycling it could injury an employee. If they do receive a needle stick injury they must undergo extensive blood testing and not participate in personal activities that might pass on any potential infection.”
For more information on safe needle disposal, visit the Centre’s website at www.ovwrc.com
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)