Christchurch residents are being urged to take greater care when visiting the city’s EcoDrop transfer stations, as dangerous incidents continue to rise.

The Council’s Resource Recovery team and site operator EcoCentral said the behaviour of some visitors was putting themselves, their families and staff at risk.

Resource Recovery Manager Dr Alec McNeil said there had been a concerning increase in incidents across the three transfer stations.

“We’ve recently seen an increase in numbers of children getting out of cars as well as quite a few residents getting into the pit itself,” McNeil said. “This is extremely dangerous as there is heavy machinery operating in the pit at all times and hazardous debris in the area.”

In the past year there were 116 incidents of children being outside vehicles at the transfer stations, and 28 cases where residents entered the refuse pit.

McNeil said the priority was safety, and visitors needed to follow a few key rules. Children and pets must remain inside vehicles at all times, and the refuse pit should never be entered. If something is dropped, visitors should signal the loader operator from a safe distance or alert a staff member for help.

Visitors are also required to wear fully enclosed footwear, and hazardous items such as e-waste, batteries, paints, solvents and gas bottles must be disposed of at an EcoDrop Resource Recovery Centre, where disposal is free. Trailers should be properly secured, and people must not ride on them while onsite.

New signage has been installed at the transfer stations to reinforce safety guidelines, and information flyers are being given to all customers coming across the weighbridge.

“Transfer stations are busy places with high levels of traffic from both operational vehicles and other vehicles using the facility,” McNeil said. “Please stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and follow all signage and staff instructions.”