The Gunnedah community has responded with disgust following a photo posted on the Gunnedah Recyclit Facebook page last Wednesday of a pile of needles gathered over a three-week period (pictured above inset).

The needles were found among recyclable materials and placed in the facility’s sharps container.

“On average, within that three weeks, it takes three days to fill it, or four days roughly,” Mr Cole said. “At the end of the day, we only see what comes out of our recycling. How much is there in household waste that goes to the landfill?”

Mr Cole said he posted the photo to show the community what sort of risks the recycling workers are faced with.

“It’s progressively becoming worse,” he said.

“I think what it’s highlighted is that we do have a serious drug issue in the town of Gunnedah.”

Mr Cole said on average, between 100 and 150 needles come through the facility each week, with the majority of needles found on Wednesdays.

“In my five years, I’ve never had anyone here with a needle stick, but we’ve had two suspected needle sticks in the last six months.”

Insulin needles and EpiPens are regularly found by workers sorting through the material, including black sharps boxes commonly bought from chemists.

“We have to assume the worst, simple as that,” he said.

“They’re still needles and they have to be disposed of in a correct way. You can’t recycle them. 

“We need to educate.”

The recycling workers are becoming more vocal about the increase in the number of needles, according to Mr Cole.

“It is concerning them but they are very switched on when it comes to this sharps stuff,” he said.

“Our people are quite educated on it but we can only do so much from our end.”

Mr Cole said the support of the community is vital if there is going to be change.

“We want support from the community. These people are gainfully employed, they love their work. We create a good working environment for them,” he said.

“My biggest concern is the danger that these people are in and they’re doing the community a great service because they’re recycling the product. 

“Everyone’s safety is paramount, is number one.”

Determined to see an improvement, Mr Cole said he would continue to remind people of the ongoing issue.

“We put it out there, so people can see it. If it happens again, I’ll put it out there again and we’ll just keep chipping away at it,” he said.

“Until that message gets out there, and the awareness, it will continue.”

Community Public Sharps Bins can be found in the following areas:

Vernados Car Park, Little Barber Street (behind Crazy Clarks )

McAndrew Park

Containers less than 1.4 liters are       acceptable for these bins

Location of bins is not permanent.Single use bins are located:

Brocks Court, Wolseley Oval (mounted on toilet block)

Mornington Park , Anzac Parade (mounted on toilet block)

Gunnedah Community Health

Gunnedah Hospital

Hagley/Osmond Chemist

Karen Carter Chemist.

For more information on sharps bins, contact Geoff Phillips or John Henry on 6740 2130.