It’s “Sharps Buy Back Month” at the Health Unit.
They’re providing a $5 gift card for every 100 used sharps, like needles or syringes, brought to their North Bay location (345 Oak Street West) this month.
Officials say the initiative is geared towards individuals who would benefit from using their needle exchange services.
“Sharps Buy Back Month is an initiative launched by the Health Unit to collect used sharps while teaching individuals about our needle exchange services and how to pick up sharps safely,” says Auburn Larose, community health promoter. “We hope this also encourages people who have not yet visited our new location to come to 345 Oak Street West and check out what the Health Unit has to offer.”
While the buy back campaign is only running this month, the Health Unit offers needle exchange services year round.
Officials say if a sharp is found in the community, follow these instructions to pick it up safely:
– Do not walk while holding the sharp object
– Bring a puncture-proof, hard-sided, leak-proof container with a lid, such as a pickle jar or bleach container, to the area where the sharp was found
– Do not recap, bend, break the needle or manipulate it by hand in any way
– Place the object in the container. Use tongs if available. If tongs are not available pick up the needle/sharp from the blunt end and secure the lid
– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
– Label the container “hazardous waste” and bring to the Health Unit for proper disposal
For more information on the Sharps Buy Back campaign, visit www.myhealthunit.ca/sharps

Filed under: needles, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, sharps, syringes