The Omakau School board of trustees says a recycling container placed near the school is a safety issue, but understands there are few options where to move it.
Last month, the Central Otago District Council announced it was shifting a recycling container and six glass disposal crates to a reserve it owns on Deaker St, beside Omakau School.
It was moved from its previous location at Hickey's yard on Leask St because trucks at the site posed a health and safety risk to the public.
The council considered six other sites, but Deaker St was seen as the best option, on a trial basis.
Board of trustees chairwoman Trina Armstrong said she sent a letter to the council last week which said the placement of the container was a safety issue for the school.
"The [empty alcohol] bottles are so close to the school the kids can literally reach out and grab them.''
Since the container was placed there, it had been attracting bees and wasps, which were potentially dangerous for the children, she said.
Broken glass was an initial concern, but did not seem to have surfaced as a problem, she said.
It was important to have a recycling container in the area, she said.
"I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, because I use it all the time.''
Central Otago district councillor Malcolm Topliss, who lives at Ophir, near Omakau, attended an Omakau Ratepayers and Citizens Association meeting last week to discuss the container.
"The general feeling was that it wasn't the ideal spot, but they recognised finding the ideal spot was difficult.''
A few other locations were discussed at the meeting, each with their own problems, he said.
"All those present recognised the importance of a public dropoff for the wider area.''
Council waste minimisation officer Sophie Mander said the initial plan remained, which was to house the recycling container at the site for a trial period of up to six months, and consider feedback after three months.
The site would be regularly monitored, she said.
