Refuse collectors in Swansea have been injured picking up household waste that included dangerous sharp items.
Swansea Council workers have had close encounters with broken glass, knives, scalpels, meat skewers and even a garden shears.
All the items have been carelessly disposed of in black bin bags and left on the street for Council collection crews to pick them up.
In some cases, workers have suffered minor injuries when sharp items have pierced their skin.
The Council is now urging residents to ensure they dispose of dangerous items in a responsible way.
Ian Whettleton, Swansea Council’s Refuse and Recycling Divisional Officer, said:
“There have been one or two incidents recently where refuse collectors have received minor injuries because of sharp items in household waste.
“Residents need to ensure when they dispose of waste they do it in a responsible way.
“Broken glass should be placed in a box, taped up and put out with your waste. At the very least, it should be wrapped in newspaper.
“Residents can avoid putting knives and blades and other scrap metal in general waste by taking it to a civic amenity site to be recycled.
“Our crews don’t know what is in black bag waste and so we want residents to help keep our staff safe by disposing of their waste responsibly.”
Residents can contact the Council to find out the opening times of civic amenity sites and get information about refuse and recycling. People can also visit the Council’s website at www.swansea.gov.uk/recycling for further details.
