Accidents Caused by Recycling Bins
Sunday, March 25, 2012 4:18In Toldeo, Ohio, it was reported that woman died because of falling head first into a recycling bin. Her body was only found after her legs was seen sticking out of the corner. Her death was just one of the many demise caused by recycling bins.
Sheila Decoster’s body has already stayed in the bin for a few hours before it was finally discovered, according to the statement of Lucas County Deputy Coroner Diane Barnett. The container where the legs of the deceased were found sticking out was discovered by her husband. After examining the pair of legs sticking out of the recycling bin, the man who first thought that someone threw a dummy at their container found out that it was his wife inside. This is when he realized she had already passed away after being stuck on the recycling bin’s bottom.
The deceased was 62 years old and has made use of recycling bins for more than a couple of years already. The two were married for 43 years and it was their habit to just throw the trash from the porch which unfortunately had no railings. Dizzy spells and aneurysm are some of the health problems which the victim had while still living. This may have contributed to the accident, together with her nagging back problems and recent surgery on her knee.
With this accident, a growing concern about the large recycling bins distributed to the neighborhood’s residents a couple of years ago started to emerge. Many complained that the bins were too large and were difficult to handle, especially by the elderly and the disabled.
In other areas, large recycling bins and trash receptacles have become favorite targets of a great many individuals. Some people, for example, goes dumpster diving. This act was given its name out of the actions of these people crouching and reaching to the trash bins to go through its trash contents. Many times, these individuals are homeless and poverty stricken ones who seek for a meal or any valuable item from the trash. Injuries and impalement from some other trash on the bin are often the result of dumpster diving. Because of the germs, infection sets in on their wounds and they develop infections because of their poor hygiene. Besides from these accidents, injuries and even criminal actions often happen due to these individuals fighting over important scraps in the trash.
Another example of a primary issue which involves recycling bins and other large trash receptacles is their propensity to fall victim to vandalism and other petty criminal activities. Setting the contents of these bins on fire are one of the most common crimes done to these receptacles. Other crimes include vandalism, destruction of property, or even using these items as props for illegal activities. People who often do these crimes often go unpunished. Local councils consider replacement and maintenance of these recycling bins as one of those areas in which they spend the most money to.
It is clear that the major purpose of recycling bins should be reviewed because of the damage that they often receive and the injuries and accidents that they cause. There are people who have already suggested the idea of attaching microchips and even radio frequency identification devices to these containers for easier monitoring.
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