Safe Needle Disposal

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The Capital City Cleanup program is responsible for safe needle collection and disposal from public property. Our focus is on enhancing community safety by providing a safe and reliable way to dispose of needles and needle debris. Our goal, in collaboration with our community partners, is to keep our streets, parks and playgrounds clean and safe for everyone.

How to Report a Needle

Needles on Public Property

If you see a needle on public property, call 311 or use the 311 app. We will coordinate pick up and disposal.

Note: when reporting a needle using the 311 App, your ticket will show as being ‘closed’. This means needle pick up has been scheduled.

Needles on Private Property

If the needle is located on private property, call Hiregood at 780-426-0500.

They will provide you with the information you need to pick up and dispose of the needle safely.

Safe Handling and Disposal of Needles

To help you safely handle and dispose of needles, follow these 3 steps:

Pick-up needle(s), pointing away from your body, with tongs or thick gloves
Place needle(s) in a metal or hard plastic, sealed container and label it ‘used needles’
Wash hands with soap and warm water

Although it’s always important to be careful, there is minimal risk in picking up a used needle. The risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis from an accidental needle stick is very low. Most viruses become inactive after being exposed to the air.

The vast majority of people will not get sick by picking up or getting poked by a needle. If you need more detailed information, please visit Needle Safety.

Where Do I Dispose of the Needle(s)?

There are a number of options available to dispose of a needle(s) safely.

See our interactive map that shows the locations of needle boxes and eco stations
For injection drug users, Streetworks provides a free needle exchange service

Safe Needle Disposal Information Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we know about needle use in Edmonton?

People use needles for many different reasons. They are many medical conditions that involve using needles at home. Diabetes is the most common. Some people inject drugs because they have an addiction. Everyone who uses needles has the same need to get rid of their needles safely. With safe disposal, no one gets hurt accidentally.

What is the City doing to reduce needles on public property?

We are using data from 311 to track the number of calls for needle pick-up and the numbers of needles collected. This data helps us to place safe needle disposal boxes where they are needed most.

How often does the City pick up needles on public property?

Edmontonians can call 311 for needle pick up seven days a week between 8am and 4 pm. We aim to have the needle(s) collected within two hours of the initial call. If a call is received after hours and poses an immediate threat, Fire Rescue Services will respond to the call.

Will I get sick if I get scratched or poked by a needle?

Although it's always important to be careful, there is minimal risk in picking up a used needle. The risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis from an accidental needle stick is very low. Most viruses become inactive after being exposed to air. The vast majority of people will not get sick by picking up or getting poked by a needle.

What should I do if I get scratched or poked by a needle?

Allow the wound to bleed freely. Wash the scratch or wound site right away with soap and warm water or alcohol based hand rub (sanitizer). Call Health Link at 811 for 24/7 health advice and to discuss what to do next.

Does the City want residents to call 311 for needles found on private property?

If the City gets a call from a citizen about a needle(s) on private property, the City will collect this data to gauge the number of calls coming into 311 regarding private property and to note the number of needles found. This information will help to determine if more public education is needed on how to deal with needles on private property. It will also be used to help assess whether a needle disposal box in the vicinity might help to minimize the issue.

Contact Us

Capital City Clean Up

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email	capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca
Phone	311
TTY	711