Clegg,

"Drug litter" is defined as clinical waste under the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 & as such has to be rendered safe & not straight to landfill.

You mention that you have contacted "Environmental Health", can I suggest that you contact the Environment Agency instead?

Zyggy.

Clegg 66,

On the few occasions we have had this issue (retail premises) we have simply called the local council who have dealt with the matter. Our experience has show that many authorities have a service to deal with this common problem…………….

Hi Clegg

As others have said needles would come under hazardous waste and the presence of them would be clinical waste. We have this occasionally with donated goods in our charity shops. All of our shops have stab resistant gloves and if needles are found they are placed in solid plastic yellow clinical waste containers and local arrangements are made for disposal. We have similar thing with dirty nappies and the like.

I would suggest adopting a similar approach to how we do it, empty bags onto a clear floor, sorting through with stab proof gloves on (or with pinchers like litter pickers) and provide the yellow clinical waste containers to dispose of needles safely. Although disposing of these could attract a cost I’m afraid as would need to be disposed of through a registered waste carrier who can dispose of clinical waste.As part of training make your teams aware of this possible threat to safety and give them key things to look out for that could indicate presence of needles.
Hope that helps