Southwestern Public Health Highlights Safe Needle Disposal for Earth Day

Today for Earth Day, Southwestern Public Health is highlighting steps for safe needle disposal and other sharp litter found in our communities.

“Now that the weather has started to warm, people are again visiting community parks. But, with the snow melting, they may find discarded needles and other trash in these public spaces,” says Jacqueline Deroo, Public Health Nurse at Southwestern Public Health. “We want everyone to feel confident about what to do if they come across a needle or other hazardous litter.”

The health unit has developed a toolkit on how to safely pick up litter, including a resource on talking to children about needles. This is a great opportunity to use language that destigmatizes substance use.

If you come across a discarded needle, syringe, glass stem or other sharp objects:

• Find a non-breakable, puncture-proof container (e.g., a peanut butter container)
• Place the container on a stable surface beside the location of the needle
• Put on disposable gloves if you have them
• DO NOT recap the needle
• Use tweezers, pliers or tongs to pick up the needle (grab the plastic portion of the syringe if still attached)
• Place the needle inside the plastic container (sharp end first) and secure the lid
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Dispose of the container at a needle drop-off location, including Southwestern Public Health or participating pharmacies in Oxford County and Elgin St. Thomas. Disposal locations: Elgin and St. Thomas, Oxford County

Together, we can all do our part to ensure improperly discarded needles are disposed of safely.

Contacts
Kylie Lechner
Communications Coordinator | Southwestern Public Health
519-631-9900 x 1322 | 1-800-922-0096
klechner@swpublichealth.ca