A recycling collector in Torfaen has an anxious wait for a blood test result after pricking his finger on a hypodermic needle left out for recycling.
The collector, who works for Torfaen Council's contractor Cleanstream, was out sorting black boxes in the Thornhill area of Cwmbran on Friday when the incident occurred.
The needle was amongst cans in a black rubbish sack left on top of a recycling box.
"I'm now living a nightmare as I don't know whether I've been infected," said the collector, who does not wish to be named.
"I was just going about my normal day job - I didn't have a clue what was lurking in the bag.
"I felt a sharp pain and when I looked I couldn't believe my eyes. I can't help thinking the worst - I just hope everything will be alright when the results come back.
"I can't believe somebody would think that it is acceptable to put a needle out in their recycling."
A Torfaen Council spokesman said it was totally irresponsible for someone to leave a needle in a plastic bag like this.
The incident has been reported to Gwent Police.
The spokesman said only a small minority of residents contaminated their recycling with items like used nappies, sanitary towels, dog faeces and broken glass.
"Cases like this highlight how important it is to only put out the correct materials in your black box," he said.
"We would prefer materials, except textiles, to be put in loose so that collectors, who wear appropriate safety gear, can clearly see what boxes contain.
"Thankfully, the vast majority of residents do a good job but we are appealing to the minority of people to take extra care and only put out the appropriate items."
The spokesman urged people to only put out newspaper and magazines, tins, can and aerosols, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and textiles in their black boxes.
Apart from textiles, which must be bagged to keep them dry, all other items can be put in loose.
If residents want to separate materials into bags they should use plastic carrier bags and not black rubbish sacks.
For more information visit the Rubbish, Waste and Recycling| area of the website.