Trash collectors have been injured 15 times so far this year, with more than 1,000 hours of lost time — prompting the Ministry of Public Works to urge residents to think of their safety when disposing of household waste.

Items in trash that cause the most injury include broken glass, hypodermic needles and construction materials.

Recently a collector was hurt in the leg by a bowling ball put out in the trash, according to Derrick Simmons, the ministry’s safety and health officer.

“People throw some pretty crazy stuff in their household garbage,” Mr Simmons said, calling for residents to refrain from sending out hazardous items such as compressed gas canisters, lead acid batteries, chemicals and needles.

Construction debris and building materials should also be left out.

“The collection staff wear protective gear to limit contact with some hazards associated with the job,” Mr Simmons said.

“However, we need our community to help to reduce some hazards often concealed among regular household waste.”

In addition, he urged drivers to exercise caution around trash trucks, where there have been “several near misses” involving staff.

“We actually had two incidents this summer where employees were struck by passing motor vehicles while on a collection route, which amounted to 180 hours of lost time.

“We need the motoring public to exercise patience and caution when approaching a collection vehicle; slow down as you attempt to overtake a stationary collection vehicle. Our staff are likely nearby busily going about their work.”

A list of off-limits items for trash or recycling includes the following:

• Animal waste, which must be flushed down the toilet or dried and wrapped in paper, placed in plastic bags, and dropped in the bin at Tynes Bay;

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs or fluorescent tube lights, which must be dropped off at Tynes Bay;

• Consumer electronics, such as mobile phones or computers, which should be recycled at the Tynes Bay public drop off;

• Household batteries, which should be disposed of at grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, and service centres around the island;

• Items containing mercury, such as thermometers, thermostats and switches;

• Vehicle batteries and motor oil, which can be disposed of at service centres around Bermuda and at the Tynes Bay public drop off;

• Bulky waste, which is appropriate for the Tynes Bay public drop off.

More information on garbage and recycling can be found on the Bermuda Government website at https://www.gov.bm/garbage-and-recycling or by calling 278-0560.