THOUGHTLESS residents dumping broken glass and dog mess into recycling bins intended for drinks cartons have put workers safety at risk. Now the bins could be removed because they have become dangerous for workers who have to empty them. Recycling office

THOUGHTLESS residents dumping broken glass and dog mess into recycling bins intended for drinks cartons have put workers' safety at risk.

Now the bins could be removed because they have become dangerous for workers who have to empty them.

Recycling officers have received cuts and scratches from broken glass and fear infection from dog waste dumped in the bins.

The recycling bins are black and green and are for recycling Tetrapak - cardboard cartons with a plastic inner coating that usually contain juice or other drinks.

But they could be taken away in the future if residents cannot be more responsible as to the items they dump there.

Martyn Stacey, East Cambridgeshire District Council recycling officer, said: "We will be improving the signage at the bins and doing everything we can to ensure that people are aware of what is supposed to placed in the banks supplied by the district. Thirty eight per cent of waste produced in East Cambridgeshire is recycled and we are eager for this amount to increase.

"The contamination we have found in these banks has made collecting the waste harmful and dangerous, and they may have to be removed if this continues. I would urge everyone to separate their rubbish and check the banks carefully before putting anything inside."

The Tetrapak banks can be found at Budgens, Soham, Tescos and Waitrose, Ely, and the East Cambridgeshire District Council car park at The Grange in Nutholt Lane, Ely.