Always store needles and lancets (sharps) in a sealed, hard plastic container – never throw them in the garbage, blue box or flush down a toilet. Used needles and sharps are considered biohazardous waste and improper disposal of these articles may cause serious injury to others and contribute to environmental problems.
Safe Disposal of Sharps and Needles
It is recommended that sharps and needles be:
- placed in a rigid, puncture-proof plastic container (such as a bleach bottle) or metal coffee can with a lid which must be labeled SHARPS. Do not use glass bottles as they are breakable.
- Contents must be soaked in bleach for 24 hours, then drained and sealed tightly for disposal.
Some pharmacies have a disposal system available for sharps or sell special medical biohazard containers. Ask your pharmacy for more information.
To find a pharmacy near you that participates in safe, free disposal of sharps, visit www.healthsteward.ca and enter your postal code.
The Orange Drop Program
Most local municipalities participate in the Orange Drop Program. This program provides Ontario residents with a free and safe way to dispose of household products that require special handling, called Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). Note: this is a residential program only.
Visit www.makethedrop.ca to find the closet municipal HHW Depot, participating pharmacy or upcoming collection event for the most convenient Orange Drop location. Contact your pharmacy to see if they participate in the program. You must be a registered patient of the pharmacy to use this service.
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