Safe Disposal of Needles and Other Sharps

Posted on:
March 10, 2026

Needles and other sharps that are not disposed of properly can seriously injure the people who collect and process waste and result in a year of medical testing to make sure there is no exposure to infection.  

Recently, a needle was found inside a beverage carton that had been placed in a blue recycling bag. The person may have been trying to dispose of the needle safely, but this is not the correct way. 

Our staff sort blue bags by hand. Cartons are later crushed in a machine. If a needle is hidden inside a carton, it can poke through and injure a worker. 

Sharps including needles, syringes, and lancets should never be placed in recycling bags or garbage bags, even if they are inside another container. 

Proper disposal helps protect the workers who collect and process waste in our communities. 

How to Dispose of Sharps Safely 

Nova Scotia has a Safe Sharps Disposal Program that allows residents to safely return used sharps at participating pharmacies. 

Follow these steps: 

1. Approved sharps containers are available at participating pharmacies free of charge.  
2. Place used sharps in an approved sharps container. 
3. Close the container securely. 
4. Return the container to a participating pharmacy for safe disposal. 

Learn more about safe sharps disposal here: 
https://pans.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sharps_waste_handling_procedures-patient_version.pdf