Ireland’s deposit return machines used for recycling plastic bottles and cans do not present a biological threat to public health, according to new research carried out by scientists at University College Cork (UCC).
The findings come after public concerns were raised about possible hygiene and infection-control risks linked to the machines, reports Breaking News.
A research team led by Dr John Mac Sharry from UCC’s School of Microbiology examined samples collected from reverse vending machines and concluded that they do not pose a danger to public health.
Dr Mac Sharry said that while maintaining cleanliness is important, it is equally important to understand the actual microbial environment of these machines in order to avoid causing unnecessary concern among the public, reports Breaking News.
He explained that the team has been carrying out environmental testing to identify the types of microorganisms living inside the machines.
According to the research, the microbes found were predominantly fermenting organisms, including common environmental yeasts and harmless bacteria that naturally grow on small amounts of sugar and alcohol left behind in unrinsed bottles and cans, reports Breaking News.
Dr Mac Sharry noted that although these fermenting microbes can create strong odours and attract insects such as flies during warmer weather, they should not be considered a significant health concern.
He said the study showed these organisms are more of a nuisance than a threat, adding that they are not disease-causing pathogens but rather the same kinds of harmless microbes commonly found in nature and in food fermentation processes, reports Breaking News.
He also cautioned against overstating any risks associated with the machines.
Dr Mac Sharry said portraying the maintenance of reverse vending machines as a serious infection-control issue may be disproportionate to the actual biological risk involved, reports Breaking News.
He added that ordinary hygiene measures are sufficient to address any concerns.
Retail employees should follow basic sanitary practices, including wearing gloves when emptying the machines, washing their hands regularly, and cleaning the units routinely with standard products, reports Breaking News.
According to Dr Mac Sharry, these simple steps are enough to deal with unpleasant smells and minimise the attraction of pests.
He concluded by saying that the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has proven to be a highly successful environmental programme and that understanding the issue as one of cleanliness and odour management, rather than infectious disease, will allow practical procedures to be implemented without creating unnecessary anxiety among workers or the public, reports Breaking News.
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