Disposing of your own needles and syringes
Needles are used by people managing specific health conditions and addictions. Safe disposal protects you, your neighbours, and waste collectors. You share the responsibility for disposing of your medical sharps properly.
If you use needles at home, keep an empty, hard-sided, puncture-resistant container with a tight-fitting lid. A plastic bleach bottle or laundry detergent container works well. Do not use cardboard boxes, as they can tear open. Once the container is three-quarters full, seal the lid tightly. Write "sharps" on the outside with a permanent marker.
Take your sealed sharps container to any of the following free drop-off locations:
- Fire Station 1 (210 Water Street) — 24-hour drop box
- Fire Station 2 (880 Northgate Boulevard)
- Fire Station 3 (35 Westbrook Drive)
- Fire Station 4 (1220 Ambrel Lake Road)
- Fire Station 5 (60 Stonebridge Drive)
- East Wrenford Waste Management Facility (3500 Concession 4 Road)
- Northgate Drop-off Depot (1010 Northgate Boulevard)
Many local pharmacies also accept sealed sharps containers. Call ahead to confirm their hours and participation.
What to do if you find a needle outside
Always treat a found needle as contaminated. You do not have to pick it up yourself.
Option 1: You are not equipped to pick it up
Cover the needle with a rock, a cup, or a piece of cardboard. Mark the exact location so crews can find it. Call 519-555-0100 or contact the By-law Enforcement team to report it. We will send a crew to collect it safely.
Option 2: You have the right equipment
If you have heavy gloves, tongs or pliers, and a hard plastic container, you can pick it up. Put on your gloves. Use the tongs to grab the needle by the plastic or wooden handle, keeping the tip pointed away from you. Place the needle point-first into your container. Close the lid securely. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterward.
If you get pricked by a needle
Flush the area with clean, running water. Wash the wound well with soap and warm water. Seek medical attention right away to check for infection and get the care you need.
Rules and fines
Leaving needles in public spaces, parks, or on your property is a violation of By-laws. Property owners are responsible for keeping their land safe. Throwing sharps into your black cart or blue bin is not allowed, as it puts collection crews and recycling workers at serious risk. Doing so can result in a fine under By-law 2026-060.
If you need help finding a disposal container or have questions about the programme, contact the Garbage & Recycling team at 519-555-0100.