Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, expressed “complete shock and disgust” after trash collection workers found human waste in garbage bags placed out for collection on Tuesday.

Colonel Burch said: “We are having increasing incidences where our waste collection staff are finding human and animal waste and other contraband placed in residential garbage bags. This most recent incident occurred at Cedar Hill, Warwick.

“I think the entire community will agree with me that this is not only absolutely unsanitary and abhorrent, but more importantly, it poses a significant health and safety risk to our workers. It’s amazing that we actually have to remind the public not to dispose of human and animal waste via the weekly garbage, but here we are.

“I am urging members of the public who are engaging in this type of disgusting behaviour to stop.

“Please have some respect for the hard-working men and women of our waste management section, who diligently do their jobs daily, often under thankless conditions, simply to ensure that our island maintains its cleanliness and beauty.”

Colonel Burch advised that the disposal of paints and other hazardous waste items through residential collection was also a rising concern.

All of these items can be disposed free of charge at the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility.

For more information regarding residential waste collection, recycling or hazardous materials disposal, visit gov.bm.