THURROCK Council said some residents are costing it money buy throwing medical waste in their blue bins.

Labour cabinet member for the environment, Val Morris-Cook, said contamination of dry recycling is becoming a real problem, and has urged residents to think before they throw things away.

She said: “We are delighted to report that our recycling rate is getting toward the 50 per cent mark and we would like that figure to keep going up.

“We want to thank all the residents that are working to improve the recycling rate and take this opportunity to remind them of what can and cannot go in their blue bins.

“Unfortunately we have been told there are still some items being put into the blue bins that stop the reprocessing plant in its tracks.”

Speaking about what is causing the most problems, she said: “Some people are still putting in plastic film and carrier bags and some people are still putting food waste in the blue bin, when all they have to do is wrap the food waste in newspaper and place it in their brown bin.

“Syringes and needles are also being put in the blue bin - the disposal of medical waste in this way is a cause for concern, residents should contact their local chemist or their GP for advice on safe disposal of such items and definitely not put them in their recycling bin.

“Medical waste is an obvious no-no, but any contamination of the dry recycling leads to the refusal of an entire load, not just one bin. This costs the council money, it costs council tax-payers money, and it adds to the amount of rubbish being put in landfill.

“Please think before you throw away.”

For a list of what is and isn’t allowed in the blue bin, go online to http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/waste/content.php?page=collections_recyclable.

Alternatively, call the council on 01375 652652.