Safe Sharps Disposal

Safe sharps disposal is important in preventing accidental injuries and spreading disease. We can all help with proper disposal of needles and other harm reduction supplies.

On this page:

I found a needle, now what?  

If you find a used needle, medical waste or other harm reduction supplies, do not touch it directly. Follow steps on how to safely pick up a needle. Do not put used needles, syringes and glass stems in the regular garbage and recycling bins. 

How to pick up and dispose of a needle

  • Treat all needles and drug equipment as hazardous.  
  • Wear gloves (e.g. latex, rubber or leather gardening gloves). Gloves protect against fluids (e.g. blood, saliva), not cuts or punctures. 
  • Have a puncture proof, sealable container (e.g.  a sharps container or thick plastic bottle) ready and place it on a flat surface next to the needle.  
  • Use tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle.  
  • Pick up the needle by the plastic end (syringe) with the sharp tip pointing away from your body. 
  • Do not try to recap used needles. 
  • Be very careful not to poke yourself with the needle. 
  • Place the needle point down into the container. Do not hold the container in your hand while placing the needle inside.Do not force the needle into the container. 
  • Close the container securely. 
  • Find the nearest needle disposal location. Do not flush needles down the toilet or put them in the garbage or recycling box. 
  • Take off your gloves and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Clean and disinfect the item used to pick up the needle.  

For more information, please contact us at 519-575-4400.

Reporting needles found in the community 

To report inappropriately discarded needles found in the community, contact your city or township directly. 

  • City of Kitchener – 519-741-2345 or report online  
  • City of Cambridge – 519-623-1340  
  • City of Waterloo – 519-886-2310 or sharpscleanup@waterloo.ca 
  • Township of North Dumfries – 519-632-8800 
  • Township of Wilmot – 519-634-8444 
  • Township of Woolwich – 519-669-1647 
  • Township of Wellesley – 519-699-4611 

You can also call 519-575-4400 and your call will be directed to the appropriate office.  

For needles found on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to discard of the needles.

I got poked by a needle. What do I do?

  • Remain calm.
  • Allow the wound to bleed freely.
  • Wash the wound with soap and water.
  • Apply a sterile, waterproof bandage.
  • Seek immediate medical attention by calling your physician or going to the hospital. 

Where to get sharps containers

Individuals

For individuals who inject medication such as insulin, containers are available at select pharmacies. Find a participating pharmacy near you. 

For other individuals, containers are available at the following locations: 

Community Cleanups  

You can pick up a sharps container for community cleanups at a Needle Syringe Program (NSP) partner agency in Waterloo Region. A list of partner agencies can be found here. 

If you are unable to pick up at partner agency, send an email to HarmReduction@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Businesses or health care providers

Businesses and health care providers must obtain sharps disposal containers and arrange for a disposal contract with a biomedical waste disposal company.

For more information about sharps disposal guidelines in Ontario, check The Management Of Biomedical Waste In Ontario.

You can also contact a local biohazard waste disposal company. 

Non-profit agency (works with people who use substances) 

To see if your agency is eligible, send an email to Region of Waterloo Harm Reduction team at harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca. This email is monitored and someone will respond within 1-3 business days. 

Where to dispose used needles and supplies

Individuals can dispose of used needles and supplies at the following locations.  

Note: Businesses and health care providers must arrange for a disposal contract with a biomedical waste disposal company. 

Outdoor sharps disposal kiosks 

The outdoor sharps kiosk program provides residents of Waterloo region with safe and convenient options for sharps disposal. The kiosks are secure, tamper-proof drop boxes and are for individuals and community workers to use to dispose of sharps. 

You can dispose of your sharps (loose needles or containers, up to 4L size) at various disposal kiosks across Waterloo Region. Commercial and clinic waste is not permitted in the sharps kiosks. 

Kitchener

Waterloo

Cambridge

Additional resources

Peer needle recovery program

Working to Improve Neighbourhood Safety (WINS) hires and trains people who have experience living with substance use to safely find and dispose of used needles and provide harm reduction outreach. It is a partnership between Sanguen Health Centre, Public Health, and local municipalities.

The WINS program began in Cambridge in 2018 and expanded to Waterloo and Kitchener in 2021. For more information on the program, please visit Sanguen Health Centre.

WINS evaluations

Contact Us