The Pacific Recycling Foundation has raised serious concerns after finding used needles and syringes in its recycling initiatives, which include community and educational programs, as well as clean-up efforts.
Amitesh Deo, the Founder and Chief Executive of the Foundation, expressed alarm regarding this concerning trend, emphasizing that the presence of hazardous materials like these in recycling programs threatens the health and safety of both recycling workers and the public.
“It is extremely troubling that needles and syringes, classified as hazardous waste, are being irresponsibly discarded in recycling bins. Such negligence significantly endangers the lives of our recycling workers, who may encounter these potentially contaminated items,” Deo stated.
He highlighted a particularly concerning incident during a clean-up campaign organized by the Foundation in Koronivia, where similar findings were made. Deo noted that as a grassroots organization, PRF is witnessing the alarming scope of Fiji’s drug crisis in various communities, as evidenced by the rising numbers of needles and syringes appearing in their recycling programs and during clean-up activities.
He emphasized the urgent need for developing referral pathways and establishing specialized rehabilitation facilities to address the ongoing drug crisis.
“PRF stresses that all medical waste, including needles and syringes, must be disposed of through secure and proper channels. Recycling programs are not equipped to handle hazardous materials, and their presence poses serious risks, such as potential injuries and the spread of diseases.”
The Foundation is calling on all sectors to handle hazardous waste responsibly and to ensure it is disposed of correctly. They also urge for increased vigilance and collaboration across all sectors to mitigate the risks associated with improper disposal practices.
“We cannot ignore the dangers these practices present. The safety of our workers and the success of our recycling initiatives rely on prompt action and accountability,” Deo asserted.