Incorrect waste disposal puts collectors and street cleaners at risk; learn the correct way | Alagoas

Irregular disposal of glass can injure street cleaners and collectors; know the correct way

Materials that can cut or to drill They are extremely dangerous when not disposed of correctly. In addition to hurting people and animals that touch the trash before it is collected, they can harm street cleaners. In 2023, 50 urban cleaning professionals were injured by this type of material.

According to the Municipal Authority for Sustainable Development and Urban Cleaning (Alurb) of Maceió, the incidents recorded were nails, barbecue skewers, razor blades, cans, among other sharps discarded irregularly.

If the person who carried out the irregular disposal is identified, they may be fined up to R$1,200. Pietra Alcântara, sanitarian at Alurb, explains how to dispose of waste correctly.

“Our guidance is that, when disposing of this type of waste, always place it in a cardboard box, or a PET bottle, with a warning that the material is sharp”, advises the sanitarian.

“It is also necessary to be aware that Everyday household waste should never be mixed with healthcare waste. In this case, the disposal of syringes or glass ampoules must be done inside a cardboard or PET bottle with a warning, however, separately”, explains Pietra.

In case of accidents, the street sweeper is sent to the hospital. If the injury is caused by cans or nails, the employee is vaccinated against tetanus.

“I’ve injured my leg and hand several times, because when these materials are left unprotected, we end up not seeing them and throwing the bag into the garbage truck, causing the shrapnel to cut us,” said Welligton Monteiro, street cleaner.

In cases of biological accidents involving needles, employees are taken to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and undergo a series of tests.

Depending on the type of needle, and whether it contained blood, you take a cocktail of medications. In addition, they are monitored for six months and need to return to the HDT for further tests, all to ensure that they are not infected with a virus or that they can receive the correct treatment in the event of an infection.