Safe Needle Disposal

Finding a used needle or sharp object can feel alarming, but you can safely dispose of it by following these simple steps:

  1. Find a safe container: Use a sturdy, non-breakable container with a secure lid (like a peanut butter jar).

  2. Place the container down: Set it on a flat surface close to the needle.

  3. Protect your hands: Use tongs, tweezers, and put on gloves if you have them.

  4. Pick up the needle carefully: Hold it by the plastic base (not the sharp end).

  5. Do not recap the needle: This reduces the risk of poking yourself.

  6. Put the needle in the container: Drop it in sharp-end first and securely close the lid.

  7. Wash your hands

  8. Dispose of the container properly: Take it to a needle drop-off location, such as Southwestern Public Health or participating pharmacies in Oxford County or Elgin St. Thomas pharmacies.

Needle disposal locations

Agency name Address Phone Additional details
Shopper’s Drug Mart 120 Thames St N, Ingersoll, ON N5C 4B1 519-485-2230 Must be in a proper sharps container
Loblaw’s Pharmacy 273 King St W, Ingersoll, ON N5C 2K9 519-425-2118 Must be in a proper sharps container
Shopper’s Drug Mart 19 Stover St N, Norwich, ON N0J 1P0 519-863-2401 Must be in a proper sharps container
Tavistock Pharmacy IDA 17 Woodstock St, Tavistock, ON N0B 2R0 519-655-2111 Must be in a proper sharps container
Pharmasave 141 Dundas St W, Thamesford, ON N0M 2M0 519-285-2425 Must be in a proper sharps container
Walmart 170 Broadway St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4X1 519-842-7910 Must be in a proper sharps container
Shopper’s Drug Mart 200 Broadway St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5A7 519-842-3521 Must be in a proper sharps container
Tillsonburg Care Pharmacy IDA 594 Broadway St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5K9 519-842-2020 Must be in a proper sharps container
Remedy’s RX Pharmacy (Zehrs) 400 Simcoe St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4X1 519-842-2220 Must be in a proper sharps container
OATC Tillsonburg 5 Ridout St E, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 3P7 519-409-6282 All sharps accepted
Coward Pharma Choice 165 Broadway St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 519-842-4081 Must be in a proper sharps container
Community Kiosk 57 Rolph St, Tillsonburg, ON – Yellow sharps kiosk behind the building
Walmart 499 Norwich Ave, Woodstock, ON N4S 9A2 519-539-5644 Must be in a proper sharps container
Rexall Drug Store 379 Springbank Ave N, Woodstock, ON N4T 1H3 519-421-2118 Must be in a proper sharps container
Rexall Drug Store 706 Dundas St, Woodstock, ON N4S 1E7 519-421-3784 Must be in a proper sharps container
Pharmasave 35 Springbank Ave N, Woodstock, ON N4S 7P6 519-539-4888 Must be in a proper sharps container
Pharmasave 310 Juliana Dr, Woodstock, ON N4V 0A4 519-421-4272 Must be in a proper sharps container
Princess Pharmacy IDA 600 Princess St, Woodstock, ON N4S 4H4 519-421-1222 Must be in a proper sharps container
The Dispensary Pharmasave 510 Ingersoll Ave, Woodstock, ON N4S 4X9 519-539-7272 Must be in a proper sharps container
Southwestern Public Health 410 Buller St, Woodstock, ON N4S 4N2 519-421-9901 All sharps accepted
Oxford County Administration Building 21 Reeve St, Woodstock, ON N4S 3G1 519-539-9800 Yellow sharps kiosk at east entrance

Agency name Address Phone Additional details
Southwestern Public Health 1230 Talbot St, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G9 519-631-9900 Yellow sharps bin at front or drop-off inside
Central Community Health Centre 359 Talbot St, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B7 519-633-7989 All sharps accepted
St. Thomas City Hall 545 Talbot St, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V7 519-631-1680 Yellow sharps bin behind building (Curtis St)
Community Recycling Centre 330 South Edgeware Rd, St. Thomas, ON N5P 4C4 519-631-1680 Saturdays 8am–3pm; must be in puncture-proof container
Yurek Pharmacy 519 Talbot St, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C3 519-631-3330 Must be in a proper sharps container
Aylmer No Frills Pharmacy 657 John St N, Aylmer, ON N5H 3J1 519-765-2915 Must be in a proper sharps container
Superstore Pharmacy 1063 Talbot St, Unit 50, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G4 519-637-7106 Must be in a proper sharps container
Wellington Medical Pharmacy 460 Wellington St #101, St. Thomas, ON N5R 6H9 519-637-9900 Must be in a proper sharps container
West Elgin Pharmacy 229 Graham Rd, West Lorne, ON N0L 2P0 519-768-1440 Must be in a proper sharps container
Aylmer IDA 6 Talbot St E, Aylmer, ON N5H 1H4 519-765-1088 Must be in a proper sharps container
IDA Highland Drug Mart 222 Colborne St, Port Stanley, ON N5L 1C2 519-782-3324 Must be in a puncture-proof container
Port Burwell Pharmacy 41 Robinson St, Port Burwell, ON N0J 1T0 519-874-7474 Must be in a proper sharps container

What do you do if you poke yourself with a needle?

Accidental pokes can happen. Here’s what to do if it happens to you:

  1. Stay calm

  2. Let it bleed briefly: This can help flush out germs.

  3. Wash the area immediately: Use soap and water (no scrubbing).

  4. See a doctor: Contact Southwestern Public Health or visit an emergency department as soon as possible.

  5. Get your vaccines checked: Make sure your vaccinations are up to date, including hepatitis and tetanus shots. Contact the immunization clinic if you have questions about this. 

Contact Us

Southwestern Public Health (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday)

St. Thomas Site
(Administrative office)
1230 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G9

Woodstock Site
410 Buller Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 4N2

Call us toll free: 1-800-922-0096
Email us

Work with us

Southwestern Public Health values our people. We pride ourselves on our positive and flexible work environment.

Learn more