Don’t be a prick campaign highlights dangers of needles in trash

Don’t be a prick, dispose of your needles safely. That’s the message of a new education campaign by the Waste Resource Association of Nova Scotia.

Launched in January, the campaign is aimed at both grabbing attention and putting a real face to the solid waste workers who sometimes face real danger from improperly disposed of needles.

Kirk Symonds, Vice President of the Waste Resource Association of Nova Scotia said although stats aren’t kept on the number of workers that get jabbed, everyone in the industry knows someone who has.

“I’ve never been so afraid when I find needles in my job. And it’s happened more often than I would like to admit,” he says.

Being jabbed with a needle in the garbage has potential serious consequences for the workers as well. Once it happens, they have to go through a year of testing because they have no idea what was in needle, which is also a year of anxiety while waiting for each test result.

If a needle is found at a recycling centre, even if worker has not been stuck, the line has to be shut down while they deal with needle and track down where it came if they can.

Symonds said for the most part he does not believe the needles are being thrown out with malicious intents, but rather a lack of knowing how to do it properly. He says proper disposal containers can be picked up at pharmacy’s, and in public areas where needles have been found, such as service station restrooms, they can get a sharps disposal containers installed.

The don’t be a prick campaign is being promoted through social media and online at Don’t be a Prick.

Don’t be a prick campaign.