District Council issues broken glass warning

Date:  23 August 2006

Three Rivers District Council today warns residents to be careful when disposing of broken glass, after a refuse crew member sustained a cut serious enough to warrant hospital treatment.

A resident left broken glass in carrier bags by their recycling boxes for collection, which the crew member picked up and injured himself.

The Council's advice for disposing of broken glass is as follows:

• Broken glass bottles and jars should be placed in the kerbside recycling box designated for glass.
• If the glass box is full, non-broken glass bottles and jars can be placed in carrier bags beside the boxes.
• Alternatively, a second box can be used for glass bottles and jars.  Extra recycling boxes can be obtained free of charge by calling the Council on 01923 776611.
• All other kinds of broken glass such as wine glasses and sheet glass should be placed in the ordinary refuse bin.

Councillor Phil Brading, Public Services and Health Portfolio Holder, says:

"This is a safety issue not just for our crews but also for residents.  Broken glass left out in the open like this is obviously very dangerous as anyone, including small children, could pick it up and injure themselves."

"While we normally welcome any excess recycling in carrier bags beside the recycling boxes, broken glass is the exception and we ask all residents to follow our advice on how to dispose of it safely."

For details of what is collected through the Council's kerbside recycling boxes, visit the recycling pages or call 01923 776611.