COVID-19 rapid tests don't belong in your recycling bin
COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) tests are finding their way into recycling bins across Ontario, and that’s bad news for recycling companies and the workers.
“For us, that material is no different than if we found a syringe on the line. It’s a biohazard. Whether the person who used the test tested positive for COVID or not, it contains material that could transmit disease,” says Francis Veilleux, president of the Bluewater Recycling Association.
Veilleux says they’ve seen plenty of rapid tests end up in the recycling loads brought in to their Huron Park plant, from over 20 Southwestern Ontario municipalities.
Every rapid test found results in the sorting line being shut down and strict infection protocols for disposal. He says it’s a huge waste of time and money.
“Every minute we’re down, it’s about a $300 cost. It’s not something we want to be doing all day long,” he says.
And if a rapid test makes it through their sorting line, it’s even a bigger deal.
“I can tell you right now, the site of one of those in our entire load means we will get the entire load rejected and that could affect our ability to recycle properly,” he says.
According to Veilleux, the proper way to dispose of a used rapid test or swabs, or other COVID-related personal protective equipment, is to double bag it and put it in your garbage.
“People think if it’s made of paper or plastic it’s automatically recyclable, and we can do some sort of miracle with it. That’s just not the case. In our facility, we cannot recycle those items. We don’t want to see them. They are a biohazard and we don’t want to spread them to our employees,” says Veilleux.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.