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
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.