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