More live ammunition has been found in recycling at the Te Awamutu sorting centre.
A shotgun cartridge was found the day after a helium tank was pulled out of another load of recycling on its way to the sorting line. Both items were collected from Cambridge properties and had they exploded, could have caused serious injuries to the work crew. It’s the second time in recent months that live ammunition has been discarded in a recycling bin.
Group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis, said that while most people are getting recycling right, blatant laziness like this puts lives at risk and is unacceptable behaviour.
“Recycling is sorted by hand, by real people. When they come to work, they don’t expect to be in danger from recycling.”
The helium tank and the cartridge had been tipped into a collection truck, compressed by the truck compactor, dropped onto the shed floor, and then scooped up by the loader and tipped into the hopper before they were noticed.
“The ammunition made it to the sorting belt, and fortunately, the tank was identified and removed before it got to the sorting line.”
“These items pose a serious hazard, particularly the helium tank, which was clearly labelled on both the box and the tank. There is no excuse, just irresponsible behaviour,” Inglis said.
There are several recycling and safe disposal options in Waipā for household hazardous materials and other items needing specialised treatment, such as e-waste, gas bottles, paint, and mobile phones. Find out more here wastelesswaipa.co.nz/hazardous-waste
A household hazardous waste collection event will be held in Cambridge on 13 October. Registrations are essential and can be made online at bit.ly/myhazwaste or by calling 0508 CHEMICAL (0508 243 642).
