Copeland council has issued a plea to residents to dispose of their waste correctly in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
The authority said bin crews found used tissues had been placed in recycling bins.
A spokesman said: "Please do not put our crews in danger by including used tissues in your recycling, as someone did recently.
"Even under normal circumstances used tissues are not accepted for recycling, but during a pandemic it presents a real danger to staff.
"Used tissues can be added to your household waste bin."
Residents are also being asked to help waste services remain in operation by cleaning bin handles and box edges, washing and squashing their recycling and only putting out recycling or waste if the bins are full.
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