How to Properly Dispose of Sharps and Needles from Injected Medications

Every year, millions of people in Canada and the U.S. use injectable medications like insulin, blood thinners, or autoimmune treatments. But what happens after the needle is used? If you toss it in the trash, recycle it, or even cap it and throw it in a soda bottle, you’re putting yourself, your family, and waste workers at serious risk. Needlestick injuries aren’t just painful-they can transmit HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The good news? Safe disposal is simple, legal, and doable-even at home.

What Counts as a Sharp?

A sharp isn’t just a needle. It includes any medical device that can cut or puncture skin after use. That means:

• Needles (used with syringes)
• Syringes (even if the needle is removed)
• Lancets (for blood glucose testing)
• Auto-injectors (like EpiPens or insulin pens with attached needles)
• IV catheters and infusion sets
• Winged infusion sets (butterfly needles)

Once used, these items are considered regulated medical waste. That means they can’t go in your regular trash, recycling, or compost. Even if the needle looks clean, it’s still contaminated with blood or body fluids.

Why You Can’t Just Throw Sharps in the Trash

It might seem harmless to drop a used needle into a plastic bottle or wrap it in paper and toss it in the bin. But here’s what happens:

• Trash collectors and sanitation workers get stuck by needles-over 385,000 needlestick injuries happen to healthcare workers every year in the U.S. alone, and many more go unreported.
• Children find them in curbside bins or parks. In 2023, the FDA reported 68% of sharps injuries in public spaces came from improperly discarded needles.
• Recycling centers can’t process sharps. They get mixed with paper and plastic, then end up in landfills or incinerators without proper safety controls.
• It’s illegal in most provinces and states. In Nova Scotia, improper disposal can lead to fines under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.

Improper disposal doesn’t just hurt people-it costs money. The average cost of post-exposure treatment after a needlestick injury is over $3,200. A single FDA-approved sharps container? Around $10.

What’s an FDA-Cleared Sharps Container?

Not every plastic bottle works. The FDA requires sharps containers to meet strict safety standards:

• Thick, puncture-resistant plastic (at least 1.02 mm thick)
• Tight, child-resistant lid that won’t pop open under pressure
• Sturdy base so it doesn’t tip over
• Leak-proof construction
• Clear biohazard symbol (the international warning sign) in red or orange
• A fill line-never go past 3/4 full

Popular brands like BD Redi-Sharp, Sharps Compliance Safe•Drop, and Stericycle containers are all FDA-cleared. You can buy them at pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, or online. Don’t use old peanut butter jars, soda bottles, or coffee cans-they’re not safe, even if you think they’re “good enough.”

How to Use a Sharps Container Correctly

Using a sharps container isn’t complicated, but small mistakes can undo all the safety. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Immediately after use, place the sharp into the container. Don’t try to recap, bend, or break the needle.
2. Keep the container within arm’s reach while injecting-no more than 6 feet away.
3. Never fill it past the marked line. If you can’t see the line, stop when the contents are 1-2 inches from the top.
4. Close the lid securely after each use. If it’s a reusable container, make sure the lock engages.
5. Store the container upright, out of reach of children and pets.

One of the most common mistakes? People wait until the container is full to dispose of it. That’s dangerous. Replace it as soon as it hits the fill line-even if it’s only half full. A full container is harder to close, more likely to leak, and increases injury risk during transport.

Where to Drop Off Used Sharps Containers

In Halifax and across Canada, you have several legal and safe options:

• Pharmacies: Most Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Rexall locations have free sharps disposal drop boxes. Just bring your sealed container-no appointment needed.
• Hospital or clinic drop-off: Halifax Health Centre and other public hospitals accept sharps from residents. Call ahead to confirm hours.
• Public health units: Halifax Regional Municipality offers free sharps disposal at public health offices. Check their website for locations and days.
• Mail-back programs: Companies like Sharps Compliance and MedWaste Solutions offer prepaid return mailers. You seal your container, drop it in the mailbox, and they handle the rest. These cost $25-$40 per box but are great for rural areas.
• Household hazardous waste depots: Halifax’s Central Transfer Station accepts sharps on certain days. Bring proof of residency.

Pro tip: Many pharmacies will exchange a full container for a new one. Ask if they offer a “one-for-one” program. Some even give you a discount on your next prescription if you return a full container.

What If You Don’t Have a Sharps Container?

If you’re out of containers and need to store a sharp temporarily, use a hard plastic bottle with a screw-top lid-like a laundry detergent bottle or a bleach bottle. Do not use glass or thin plastic.

• Label it clearly: “USED NEEDLES-DO NOT RECYCLE”
• Keep it upright and out of reach
• Take it to a drop-off site within 48 hours

This is a last-resort option. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than putting a needle in a tissue or a yogurt cup. Once you get a proper container, transfer the sharps carefully-wear gloves if you can.

What’s New in Sharps Disposal (2025)

In 2025, new rules are rolling out across Canada and the U.S.:

• Canada’s Health Canada is pushing for standardized sharps disposal labeling on all containers by January 2026.
• Some provinces, including Nova Scotia, are expanding pharmacy drop-off hours to include evenings and weekends.
• Mail-back services are getting cheaper-some insurance plans now cover the cost of return kits for insulin users.
• Smart containers with fill sensors are starting to appear in clinics, and by 2028, they’ll be required for all new models.

If you’re on a fixed income or have trouble getting to a drop-off site, ask your doctor or pharmacist about patient assistance programs. Many manufacturers offer free or discounted containers to low-income users.

What to Do If You Get Stuck

If you or someone else gets stuck by a used needle:

1. Wash the area immediately with soap and running water.
2. Don’t suck the wound or apply bleach.
3. Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
4. Report the incident to your local public health unit.

Post-exposure treatment can prevent infection-but it only works if started within hours. Don’t wait. Even if you think the needle was “clean,” assume it’s contaminated.

Final Thoughts: Safety Starts With You

Proper sharps disposal isn’t just a rule-it’s a responsibility. Every container you seal correctly protects a sanitation worker, a child, or a neighbor. It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency. Use the right container. Don’t overfill it. Drop it off. Repeat.

If you’re unsure where to go, call your local public health office or visit the Nova Scotia Health website. They’ll give you the nearest drop-off location-no judgment, no cost.

One less needle in the trash. One less injury. One more life protected. That’s what safe disposal really means.

Next time you use an injection, remember: the needle doesn’t end when you pull it out. Its journey ends only when it’s safely contained and properly disposed of. Make it part of your routine-because safety isn’t optional.