Human legs found sticking out of NSW tip

Two human legs have been found, alongside medical items, at a NSW garbage tip after being removed during surgery, police say.

Two human legs have been found at a NSW garbage tip after being removed during surgery, police say. (AAP)

Two human legs that were removed during a surgery have been found in a waste dump near NSW's Newcastle, police have confirmed.

A man working at a waste management centre in Wallsend found the legs sticking out of a pile of garbage on Tuesday afternoon, police say.

It's believed the legs were removed during a "legitimate surgery" and dumped, along with syringes and blood vials.

NSW police have referred the matter to the department of health.

The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating this matter, a NSW Health spokesman confirmed.