- Put used needles straight into a sharps container, never loose in the garbage or recycling.
- Free sharps containers are available from many pharmacies, public health units and harm-reduction programs across Canada.
- Full containers can be returned to participating pharmacies, harm-reduction sites or municipal depots, depending on your province.
- Never recap, bend or break used needles. Most needle-stick injuries happen during recapping.
Every injection leaves a used needle and syringe, and how you dispose of them affects other people. Sanitation workers, recycling sorters and family members are injured by loose needles every year. The good news is that safe disposal in Canada is usually free and easy. This guide explains what to use and where to take it.
Use a proper sharps container
A sharps container is a puncture-proof plastic box with a one-way lid. Drop the used needle and syringe in immediately after injecting, without recapping. Once it’s about three quarters full, close and lock the lid.
If you don’t have one
As a temporary measure, use a thick plastic bottle with a screw cap, such as a laundry detergent bottle. Label it “SHARPS – DO NOT RECYCLE”, tape the cap shut when full, and take it to a drop-off site. Don’t use glass, pop bottles or anything a needle can pierce.
Where to get free containers and drop them off
Pharmacies
Many Canadian pharmacies hand out sharps containers and accept full ones. In Ontario and Manitoba, a pharmacy take-back program run by the Health Products Stewardship Association lets residents return sharps from household use to participating pharmacies for free. In other provinces, many pharmacies offer similar programs; ask at the counter.
Harm-reduction programs and public health
Public health units, community health centres and harm-reduction programs across Canada provide free sterile supplies and sharps containers, and accept used ones. They don’t ask what you’re injecting.
Municipal depots and community drop boxes
Many cities accept sharps at household hazardous waste depots, and some have secure public drop boxes. Check your city’s waste website.
What not to do
- Don’t put loose needles in household garbage or recycling
- Don’t flush needles or syringes
- Don’t recap, bend or break needles
- Don’t overfill containers
- Don’t leave containers where children or pets can reach them
If you’re stuck by a used needle
- Let the wound bleed freely; don’t squeeze or suck it.
- Wash with soap and running water.
- Go to an emergency department or walk-in clinic promptly. Doctors can assess the risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, and preventive treatment works best when started early.
Travelling with sharps
Keep a small travel sharps container with you. On Canadian flights, needles are allowed in carry-on with the medication they’re for. See our travel guide.
Related guides
For injection technique, see our intramuscular injection guide. We sell syringes in packs of 10, and harm-reduction programs provide them free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put needles in the garbage in Canada?
Not loose. Use a sharps container and return it to a pharmacy, harm-reduction site or municipal depot.
Where can I get a free sharps container?
Many pharmacies, public health units and harm-reduction programs give them out free.
Do pharmacies take used needles?
Many do. In Ontario and Manitoba, participating pharmacies accept household sharps through a free take-back program; elsewhere, ask your pharmacy.
What do I do if I find a needle in public?
Don’t pick it up with bare hands. Call your city’s 311 or public works line; many cities collect discarded needles.
Products mentioned in this guide
This article is general information for adults in Canada, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any prescription drug, anabolic steroid or research compound, and get bloodwork done. If you’re in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) any time.
