Kitchen knives found in recycling bag in Somerset
Around 15 were discovered.
Somerset Council and its waste collections contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, are asking residents to help keep their crews safe, after kitchen knives were found during a waste collection.
A spate of kitchen knives being found in the bright blue bag for recycling.
In just the last few weeks, at least 15 knives have been found by the team on their picking line.
The council is urging that knives cannot be recycled from home and should be handled carefully when being disposed of.
Residents wishing to get rid of old kitchen knives should wrap them up, or place in a cardboard box, then bag up with their general waste and add to the bin.
Kitchen knives can also be disposed of at a recycling centre by placing in the recycling skip for metals.
Somerset Council Lead Member for Transport and Waste, Councillor Richard Wilkins, said: "Please help to keep our crews and members of the public safe.
"Knives should never be placed in the bright blue recycling bag, or recycling boxes. Please help to keep everyone safe by disposing of knives carefully."
Matthew Canning, Contract Director at SUEZ said: "It is a real concern that we have seen an increase in knives found in the sorting facility. All of the items have come in through residents putting them in the bright blue bag.
"We understand that residents might be trying to do the right thing but it poses a serious health and safety risk to our staff. Please help keep our staff safe and check what can and cannot be placed in the bright blue bag!"
Alongside kitchen knives, crews have also found items including: epi pens, small electricals, gas canisters, loose batteries, cutlery, and cookware like pots and pans, none of which should be put in the bright blue recycling bag. All of these items pose a serious threat to the staff and the facility.