Safely Discard a Found Needle and Return Waste
To Safely Discard A Found Needle:
Wear latex, rubber, or gardening gloves.
Gloves are meant to protect against fluid contamination, not punctures or cuts. Use the steps below to prevent needle stick injuries.
Put a sharps disposal container on a stable surface next to the needle. Do not hold the container in your hand while placing the needle inside.
If you do not have a specialized sharps container, put the needle into a non-breakable, heavy-duty/ puncture resistant, plastic container with a lid.
Household examples include laundry detergent bottles, liquid laundry softener bottles, and 2L pop bottles.
Use tongs, pliers, or tweezers to pick up the needle.
Disinfect or discard the pickup instrument afterwards.
Pick up the needle by the plastic end (syringe), NOT the needle/sharp.
Do not try to recap uncapped needles.
Point the needle tip away from your body. Be very careful not to poke yourself with the needle.
Place the needle point down into the container. Do not force the needle into the container.
Close the container securely.
Remove gloves and wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer.
Remember to disinfect/discard the instrument used to pick up the needle.
Do NOT flush needles down the toilet or put them in the garbage or recycling box.
Who Can I Call for Sharps Collection?
The PEERS Alliance Outreach Team will recover found sharps in community settings, when staff are available, upon request. If municipal police and/or public works are available in your area, they often respond to requests for retrieval when needles are found in public/ community spaces.
For PEERS Alliance Outreach in Charlottetown, Cornwall, Sherwood, and Stratford, call: (902) 978-1229
For PEERS Alliance Outreach in Summerside and Western and Eastern PEI, call: (902) 388-5306
Where Can I Drop Off Found Needles?
The Needle Exchange Program: Available in communities across the province. These sites collect consumption waste.
PEERS Alliance: Accepts waste at our Grafton Street Office, open 10am to 3pm Monday to Thursday. Please call or text (902) 388-6235 to ensure someone is available!
Outdoor Sharp Drop Boxes: These drop boxes have been made available!
In Summerside:
Heather Moyse Park
Rotary Friendship Park
Queen Elizabeth Park
Boardwalk (East)
In Charlottetown:
Outside Park Street Community Outreach Centre
Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park Confederation Trail Access