The Borough’s contracted Waste Hauler, Republic Services, has notified the Borough that todays pick up is running behind schedule but will still be completed. Low Level Radio Active Waste was detected in the Jenkintown Borough trash stream the last two Fridays as it arrived at the trash transfer station. When a detection is made the truck is quarantined, emptied, material identified and removed.
Republic believes that the curbside trash in question is being collected from the Washington Lane, Walnut Street, Township Line Road or Summit Avenue area. They feel the detection may be caused by improper disposal of items contaminated with residual medical waste. There are several medical care procedures that utilize low level radio active materials, the most common being chemotherapy. Republic Services reported that the readings while low level, were apparently caused by a product designed for bodily waste disposal and or personal hygiene. While these items are normally disposed of in the regular curbside collection, when an individual is undergoing medical procedures that utilize low level radio active elements, those items must then be properly disposed of with all other medical waste. The Borough could be liable for the cost of this process should it continue. Republic Services asks that we all please be aware of this situation and take appropriate action to dispose of these items appropriately.
Thank you all and have a peaceful weekend.
Should residents have any questions, please contact Borough Hall at (215) 885-0700. If there is an emergency, please call 911.