RWS Press Conference Friday 11/16 re: Hypodermic Needle Dumping into Recycling Bins

Media Advisory

WHAT: Press Conference at Regional Waste Systems, Inc. (RWS) re: hypodermic needles being improperly thrown away in recycling containers provided by RWS throughout the greater Portland area, posing a risk to workers and local haulers. Recently, sorters at RWS have found hundreds of needles - some loose, some stuffed into medical waste containers, juice and milk jugs. State law provides that home users of hypodermic needles may place them in heavy plastic bottles and throw the needles and container away in the regular trash, not recycling containers, and medical facilities are required to use licensed biohazardous disposal firms. Samples of the needles found will be shown and media tours of the recycling sorting line and recycling facility at RWS after the press conference can also be arranged.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 16

WHERE: At RWS, 64 Blueberry Road, off Outer Congress Street in Portland, on the right just before the new turnpike exit. Press conference will be held in the 1st floor conference room.

WHO: Eric Root, director of materials recovery at RWS, will show samples of what's being thrown into the recycling bins that are provided by RWS and how they are a danger to their workers. Other speakers may talk on the problem as well.

WHY: The problem of needles and medical waste being improperly thrown into the recycling bins has increased dramatically in recent weeks for no apparent reason, Root says. This week alone, hundreds of needles were found stuffed into plastic bottles and loose in the recyclables. It has almost become a daily problem. Over the last month, recyclables delivered to RWS have included increasing quantities of used hypodermic needles, other medical wastes, and even a biohazardous used needle box believed to be from a medical facility. They have come from recycling bins in Portland and surrounding communities and even recyclables collected at curbside. The problem is widespread. RWS workers sort recyclable materials along conveyer belts, which means that these needles pose significant health risks. To date, no workers have been injured. However, Root says he wants to prevent the problem from escalating. Properly contained, needles may be placed in the regular trash, where they will pose a far smaller risk to the people who collect and dispose of trash.

Regional Waste Systems, Inc. is a non-profit municipal solid waste organization owned by 21 member towns and also has six associate member towns. It has the largest municipal recycling program in the state, with more than 100 recycling bins in 80 locations, from parking lots at supermarkets to high schools. It also handles the trash for all 27 RWS communities, burning it to create electricity in its state-of-the-art waste to energy facility on Blueberry Road. RWS is governed by a 28-member board made up of municipal leaders from its 27 communities. Root says the RWS towns have been alerted to the problem, but that they cannot monitor all bin locations at all times, which is why they are asking the public to help.

If anyone sees persons throwing away needles or other medical waste into the recycling bins provided by RWS, please report that to your local town or to RWS.

Media Contact: Beryl Wolfe or Dana Slone at Wolfe PR, 775-5115

For more information on RWS, go to its website at www.regionalwaste.org or to www.wolfenews.com. Thank you.

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