Needle Take Back Day 2019

On April 25, 2019, the first-ever citywide Needle Take Back Day will take place in the City of Boston. On Needle Take Back Day, neighborhood health centers throughout the City will offer temporary collection hours for safe needle disposal from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

One of the worst side effects of the opioid epidemic is the growing number of improperly discarded needles in our parks and public spaces. The purpose of this day is to also raise awareness and education about proper handling of used sharps for everyone. This includes people who use them legally as part of their regular medical treatment to those who suffer from substance abuse disorder.

With only 10 drop-off sites in the City of Boston, there is an insufficient amount of sites to respond to the need for safe and proper disposal of used needles. By doubling the number of safe drop-off sites, Needle Take Back Day is a step in the right direction that will both raise awareness and improve access to free and safe disposal of sharps for everyone in the city.  

Please join City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, the Activist Lab at the BU School of Public Health, RIZE Massachusetts, and Procter and Gamble to reduce the number of improperly discarded needles in parks, household waste, and public spaces in Boston.