Community Sharps Waste Management Award
Sponsored by NSW Health
An award for councils who have put in place ongoing and/or trial collection systems and community education programs (including programs in partnership with State agencies, pharmacies, community groups and other stakeholders) for community sharps waste generated in households and public places.
Division A - Highly Commended
Bellingen Shire Council: Community Sharps Placement Program
In Bellingen Shire there was limited public drop-off facilities for sharps other than a hospital and several chemists. It became clear that community demand was increasing and remote service placements within town CBD's and areas of high demand was necessary. The access includes a mix of larger external freestanding bins and small bins within toilet facilities.
Name: Garry Hankinson
Position: Senior Environmental Health Officer
Phone number: (02) 6655 7331
Email address: ghankinson@bellingen.nsw.gov.au
Division C - Highly Commended
Holroyd City Council: Community Sharps Management Program
Since July 1998 Holroyd City Council has implemented a Community Sharps Management Program. The program was introduced in response to Council's increased awareness that a serious risk of needle stick injury exists through domestic users of sharps not having a convenient safe method of disposing of their used syringes and other medical sharps. Council's Community Sharps Management Program has not only involved the organised collection of sharps from domestic users but also initiatives to educate our community on what to do if needles are discovered in public areas. Over the last 10 years more than 600 collections of sharps bins have been provided through the Community Sharps Management Program.
Name: Brendan Govers
Position: Manager - Environmental Health
Phone number: (02) 9840 9802
Email address: brendan.govers@holroyd.nsw.gov.au
Division C - Joint Winner
City of Canterbury, City of Sydney, Marrickville, Randwick City, Rockdale City and Waverley Councils: SSROC "Be Smart With Your Sharps" Regional Community Sharps Education and Collection Program
The community sharps program was developed to provide residents with a safe disposal option for sharps and to reduce the risk of needle stick injury to the waste management industry. The program involved the introduction of a collection and disposal service for sharps through local pharmacies and the development of educational materials for distribution by Councils and participating pharmacies to the community to raise awareness of the sharps disposal service and the correct way to dispose of sharps. In the lead up to National Diabetes Week non-participating pharmacies were invited to join the program and participating pharmacies were provided with 1.4L sharps collection containers to distribute to diabetic residents during National Diabetes Week. To increase the opportunities for further community disposal options, 23L public place collection containers were purchased to install in public places to provide residents with a more discrete option for disposal.
Name: Tracey Albon
Position: Waste Education Officer
Phone number: (02) 9399 0657
Email address: tracey.albon@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Division C - Joint Winner and Overall Category Winner
Liverpool City Council: Be Sharp Safe - Community Sharps Management Program
The Be Sharp Safe program provides an integrated awareness and collection program for responsible disposal of community sharps. The Program was established in response to sharps materials being identified as 'problem wastes' in Council's Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2005-2015. The Program aims to provide appropriate waste solutions for a problem waste by: Raising community awareness of the risks associated with unsafe disposal of sharps through targeted education resources Increase community awareness of safe disposal options available via branded promotional material Identify and limit the barriers in regards to accessing services by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities Improve public amenities Strengthen stakeholder partnerships.
Name: Michelle Catley
Position: Sustainability Education Officer
Phone number: (02) 9821 7747
Email address: m.catley@liverpool.nsw.gov.au
