Kiama council has in their wisdom decided to cease funding the Sharps Disposal Unit Service as of the 1st of August.

This service provided free sharps containers to the Kiama community, as well as provision of bins in local pharmacies for collection and safe disposal.

 From the 1st of August there will be nowhere within the Kiama LGA for residents to take their sharps for safe disposal.

The nearest drop off point will be Shellharbour hospital. We have gone from best practice to worst practice.

I have major concerns about how sharps will be disposed of going forward, and suspect we will see increased dumping of sharps in public waste collection and red bins.

I have voiced my concerns with Jane Stroud at council. I have put forward alternate suggestions, that council should as a minimum consider continuing to accept community sharps returns at the recycling depot in Minnamurra.

I would be more than happy to continue collecting them on councils behalf, and even drop them off to the recycling depot.

This I believe would address most of the issues, however I was informed that Council had made their decision, case closed.

I have lobbied Gareth Ward on this issue, but thought the Kiama community need to be made aware. Hopefully we can persuade Council to reconsider its decision.

Concerned Kiama resident