Residents have raised concerns about obtaining replacement sharps containers on the Isle of Wight, with some reporting they have been unable to exchange full bins at pharmacies despite the Isle of Wight Council insisting the service is continuing to operate.
Island Echo has been contacted by a resident who says they have been unable to obtain a replacement sharps container after attempting to exchange a full one at their local pharmacy.
The resident claimed the issue followed changes to the Council’s collection arrangements, leaving some pharmacies without replacement containers for needles and syringes.
The Isle of Wight Council advises residents never to dispose of needles or other sharps in household waste or recycling bins because they pose a risk of injury to refuse and recycling crews, as well as anyone else handling waste.
Under the Council’s sharps take-back scheme, residents with full sharps containers can return them to participating pharmacies across the Isle of Wight, where they should be issued with a replacement container as required.
Responding to the concerns, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said:
“We are continuing to provide a sharps take back service across the Island, with collections and container supplies now operating at a steady, normal service level.
“Collection companies are ensuring continuity of service for both clinical and community settings.
Article continues below this advertisement “There has been some recent pressure on the system following a backlog and feedback from local pharmacies indicates that, while deliveries are being received, demand remains high.
“In response, collections will remain on a 2-weekly cycle in the short term to help stabilise the service and ensure a reliable supply of containers.
“We are also working with our contractor, Veolia, to review the current arrangements with the aim of moving to a single-provider model. This will simplify the service and support greater resilience going forward.
“We expect to review performance and any potential changes to collection frequency in July, once demand has normalised.”
Residents requiring a replacement sharps container are advised to continue taking their full container to a participating pharmacy, where it can be exchanged as part of the Council’s sharps take-back scheme.
