Something very dangerous is showing up at recycling sorting plants and workers at the plants are powerless to stop it.
They work at an incredibly fast pace manually sorting recyclables that a machine couldn't do. But hiding in between the paper and plastic is something very dangerous that's not recyclable - syringes.
They show up on daily basis, up to 400 or 500 a month.
Despite the precautions, workers here at recycling plants and landfills across the country are getting stabbed by needles, mostly insulin needles.
Employees are now taken right to the clinic. They are worried that they may be exposed to hepatitis, HIV, or another blood borne pathogen.
Workers are frustrated because needles do not belong in recyclables or any trash.
The proper way to dispose of syringes is by using a sharps container, and taking the contents to medical office, pharmacy or landfill where it can be disposed of properly. But recyclers say that's not the reality.
If the trash container is full it’s acceptable to put sharps into the garbage, but they should be in a secure plastic container, that’s labeled, and with tape over the lid.
Those containers are showing up in recyclables, broken open, and officials admit, tracking down a habitual offender is like finding a needle in a haystack.
These workers are asking for a favor, since there is no penalty for tossing needles into the recycling.
They are asking you not to do it. It could change someone else's life forever.
