Republic drivers claim improperly disposed medical waste is creating danger

Collection drivers for Republic Services in Memphis, Tennessee, have complained that medical waste isn’t being properly disposed of, thus jeopardizing their health and safety.

As reported by local news station WREG Memphis, several employees for the company say images captured on video show medical waste improperly disposed at Republic’s South Shelby Landfill.

Employee Terry Moss told WREG that the landfill allows the drivers to dump the medical waste along with regular trash, but that medical waste is supposed to be dumped differently. Drivers say this is creating a hazard, with one employee who asked to remain anonymous claiming he was stuck by a needle.

“It’s [makes me] more angry more than anything because of the fact you have to work in unsafe working conditions,” the driver says.

James E. Jones, president of Teamsters Local 667 which represents some of the drivers, told WREG that employees have complained about the problem for years, but nothing has been done.

“We’ve been working with the company, through the company, filing grievances, sending letters, asking for answers,” Jones says, adding that some medical waste has “even been able to penetrate workers’ thick boots.”

“Just think about getting stuck by a needle that’s been on the ground for days or weeks or whatever,” he says. “…It’s supposed to be sterilized, but who is to say bacteria hasn’t grown inside that needle when it’s just [lying] there?”

Jones and Teamsters Local 667 hope the company can make what they believe is an easy fix, so the medical waste will be dumped differently, for employees’ safety and peace of mind.

A spokesperson with Phoenix-based Republic told WREG a meeting with local company leaders was set for March 1 to discuss the issue. When contacted by Waste Today regarding the meeting, Republic disclosed there were no updates as of yet.