Safe Needle Disposal
Needles and syringes are considered hazardous medical waste and are banned from regular garbage disposal. They should never be placed in the garbage or recycling boxes.
In order to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries, the City of Kingston is asking residents to dispose of needles and syringes in the following manner:
- Never put needles or syringes in the garbage or blue boxes.
- Place all needles and syringes in a secured puncture proof plastic container with a screw-on lid (e.g.: 2 litre pop bottle or rigid detergent bottle) clearly labeled 'needles' or 'syringes', or in a biohazard container available for purchase at most pharmacies and KFL&A Public Health.
- 'Needle clip' devices, which remove the needle from the syringe and store it in an impervious container, are available at pharmacies. The remaining syringe should also be placed in a puncture proof container and disposed of as hazardous medical waste.
- Bring containers to:
- Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 196 Lappan's Lane (Customer Service 613-546-0000);
- Several pharmacies offer disposal services. Please check with your local pharmacy to see if such services are offered.
- Stewardship Ontario's Orange Drop program lists several safe needle disposal locations at www.makethedrop.ca.
- If you find needles or syringes in any public place, call KFL&A Public Health's Environmental Health department to have them picked up. Keep others away from the area until the hazard has been removed.
- If you have additional questions about syringes or what to do if you have received a needle stick injury, call KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232
