Safe needle disposal
Learn how to report used needles on public property and how to safely discard needles in disposal bins.
Request needle pick up
If you find a needle in a park, trail or other public space, contact us at 519-886-1550 (during business hours) or sharpscleanup@waterloo.ca. We will coordinate pick up and disposal.
Discarding used needles
To safely discard a used needle yourself:
- Wear latex, rubber or leather gardening gloves. Gloves are meant to protect against fluid contamination, not punctures or cuts.
- Use tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle. Be sure to clean and disinfect the pickup instrument afterwards.
- Pick up the needle by the plastic end (syringe). Do not try to recap used needles.
- Point the needle tip away from your body. Be very careful not to poke yourself with the needle.
- Put the sharps disposal container on a stable surface next to the needle. Do not hold the container in your hand while placing the needle inside.
- Place the needle point down into the container. Do not force the needle into the container.
- If you do not have a specialized sharps container, put the needle into a non-breakable, puncture-proof container with a lid, such as a thick plastic bottle or tin can.
- Close the container securely.
- Find the nearest needle disposal location (see below). Do not flush needles down the toilet or put them in the garbage or recycling box.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after removal of gloves.
Needle disposal bins
Needles can be dropped off at these outdoor locations at any time:
Consumption and harm reduction services
Consumption and treatment and harm reduction services are run by the Region of Waterloo.