Halifax: Sanitization and recycling workers in Nova Scotia are facing increasing safety risks due to the improper disposal of used medical needles (sharps) in household waste. Recent reports indicate that thousands of needles have been discovered at recycling facilities across the province in just the past few months. While a “Safe Sharps” program exists—allowing residents to collect free puncture-resistant containers from pharmacies and return them for disposal—a significant shortage of these containers has exacerbated the problem. The rising demand for injectable medications and vaccines, coupled with manufacturing delays, has left many residents without the proper equipment to secure their medical waste.
Authorities have issued strict warnings against disposing of needles in plastic bottles, glass jars, or regular garbage bags, as these can easily be punctured, exposing workers to potential needle-stick injuries and blood-borne pathogens. In response to the crisis, waste management committees are calling for new provincial legislation that would implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This would shift the financial and logistical burden of needle disposal onto the manufacturers themselves, rather than relying on the current voluntary, pharmacy-funded system. Experts argue that adopting regulations similar to those in other Canadian provinces is the only way to ensure a consistent supply of containers and permanently eliminate this threat to public health workers.
