I found a needle outside of my business or home
If the needle is on private property:
Dispose of it yourself
If the needle is on public property:
Dispose of it yourself OR
Call 506-658-4455 for assistance
Finding a needle on the ground can be scary, even if you know how to dispose of it. Follow these steps to remove it from the area safely.
If disposing of the needle yourself:
Place the container on a stable surface.
Put one the gloves and pick up the item so that the sharp end is pointing away from you.
Drop the item into the container and ensure the lid is secured in place.
Dispose of the container in a needle drop box or at a location that accepts needle returns.
Carefully remove your gloves and dispose of or wash them. If you are unsure of how to remove gloves safely, watch this video.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Get gloves and a hard plastic container designed for sharps. If you don’t have one, use a thick plastic bottle with a secure lid (ie. a plastic laundry container) and clearly label it as biohazardous. Local pharmacies may have proper containers available, reach out to your pharmacy to see if they can provide one.
Glove suggestions:
medical gloves
rubber gloves
gardening gloves
work gloves
No gloves?
Protect your hands with a garbage bag or similar.
If you need help disposing of the needle:
Call the City of Saint John’s customer service team at 506-658-4455 (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) or email service@saintjohn.ca to request its removal.
I followed the steps, but a puncture happened. What do I do?
If the needle breaks the skin, let the cut bleed freely.
Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol or peroxide.
See a doctor immediately. The risk of getting a disease is very low, but a puncture should still be taken seriously. You may need to have blood tests or get immunized.
Pharmacies Accepting Sharps
Recycle NB has a program for the safe collection of sharps containers from pharmacies. To find a pharmacy near you that accepts full sharps containers, click here.
Sharps bin locations:
Biohazard bins may be available in public areas. Avenue B Harm Reduction has large yellow containers shaped like mailboxes located around the city. Businesses can request one by contacting Avenue B or the City of Saint John.
something to consider
Not all discarded sharps are from illegal drug use. Sharps, including needles and syringes, are essential to administering some life-sustaining medications, including epinephrine and insulin. There is a risk of transmission regardless of the type of sharp (i.e. needles, razors and razor blades, needle tips, glass). The steps should be applied to all types of sharps.
You don’t have to be afraid if you find discarded sharps; just be careful and follow the steps. Together, we can create a cleaner and safer community.
Key Contacts:
Avenue B: 62 Waterloo Street, 506-652-2437
City of Saint John: 506-658-4455
Recycle NB: 844-535-8889, info@healthsteward.ca