Pharmaceutical Products & Medical Sharps

Pharmaceutical Products & Medical Sharps

Why Return Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Sharps

Safe disposal of unused pharmaceuticals and used medical sharps is essential. Used needles are dangerous to humans and wildlife, and unused medications – both prescribed, over the counter and natural – can contaminate our water sources and harm fish and other aquatic species.

Where to Recycle

Key Program Info

The Health Products Stewardship Association manages the pharmaceutical products and medical sharps program in New Brunswick. To date, there are more than 150 collection sites established in the province.

You can return the following unused pharmaceutical products to a collection site near you:

  • All prescription drugs, including those prescribed for companion animals
  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Natural health products

You can return the following medical sharps as part of the program:

  • Needles and syringes, including those prescribed for companion animals
  • Infusion sets
  • Lancets
  • Pen tips
  • Pre-filled syringes, cartridges
  • Auto-injector

For more information about what products are recyclable, please visit www.healthsteward.ca.
The following products are not part of the pharmaceutical products and medical sharps program:

  • Empty pill bottles or other containers
  • Cosmetics or beauty products
  • Contact lens disinfectants
  • Rapid tests
  • IV bags and tubing
  • Cotton swabs

For more information, please visit www.healthsteward.ca.
A stewardship plan shall apply to the manufacture, storage, collection, transportation, recycling, disposal or other handling of pharmaceutical products and medical sharps that are sold, offered for sale or distributed within the province. Please see the approved stewardship plan for full details.

On July 14, 2024, the Government of New Brunswick introduced Designated Materials Regulation 2024-37 under the Clean Environment Act, repealing the previous Regulation. Due to transitional provisions set in Designated Materials Regulation 2024-37, the above stewardship plan is set to expire on December 31, 2025, and a new stewardship plan must be submitted by producers on June 30, 2025. For more information, please review Designated Materials Regulation 2024-37 or contact Recycle NB at info@recyclenb.com or 1-506-454-8473.

About the Program

The Government of New Brunswick has amended the Designated Materials Regulation under the Clean Environment Act to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility program for pharmaceutical products and medical sharps in New Brunswick. The Regulation, dated October 24, 2022, sets out the requirements for the program.

As the agency responsible for designated materials in New Brunswick, Recycle NB will oversee the pharmaceutical products and medical sharps program. Industry brand owners chose Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA) to manage the program in New Brunswick.

HPSA will work with pharmacies to establish a provincial take-back program for unused medications and used medical sharps. It will also work to educate consumers on safe disposal practices.

For more information, please contact HPSA at:

Email: info@healthsteward.ca
Phone: 1-844-535-8889
Fax: 1-855-228-2099

RNB
1-888-322-8473
Copyright © 2025 Recycle NB. All rights reserved.
RNB

1-888-322-8473
Copyright © 2025 Recycle NB.
All rights reserved.