Medication and Syringe Disposal
Safely disposing of medications, needles, syringes, and lancets (sharps) keeps our communities safe. Find information on how to handle and dispose of syringes and medications, and where to find drop-off sites across Boston.
We are committed to keeping communities safe and healthy by removing needles and syringes and sharing safe disposal information. We take concerns about syringe and needlesticks seriously. Understanding what to do if you come across a syringe or needle can help you feel confident and secure, and keep everyone safe.
Report found syringes and needles
If you find an improperly discarded syringe or needle, call 3-1-1 or 617-635-4500, or use the mobile app. Tell us the location of the needle or needles with as much detail as possible. Our Mobile Sharps Team will find and collect the needle. The median collection time is 45 minutes. You can also file a needle pickup request below.
Medication and Syringe Drop-Off Locations
Medication Drop-Off Locations
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Unused medications should be disposed of at any pharmacy, hospital, or police station that accept medication drop-offs. Here’s what you need to know before disposing of medications:
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All medication must be properly wrapped.
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You must remove all personal information on the container before disposal.
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Avoid mixing unused medications with other waste.
Check out medication drop-off locations across Boston by clicking the button below. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offers a list of locations accepting medication drop-offs.
Syringe Drop-off Locations
You can safely and conveniently dispose of either used or unused sharps, including most medications that come in syringes (like EpiPens and GLP1 medications), at no cost at the locations below. If you have a question or concern about a specific pharmacy drop off location, please email Boston's Inspectional Services Department at elaine.grillo@boston.gov.
If you plan to visit a syringe drop-off location, please call ahead to confirm the location is currently accepting drop-offs. Click or tap your desired location on the map below to view that location's phone number. Boston Public Health Commission-run kiosks are outdoors and available 24/7 unless otherwise specified.
- Pharmacies (red markers)
- Harm reduction access points (blue markers)
- Boston Public Health Commission kiosks (dark gray markers)
- Other community programs (purple markers)
If you can’t visit a drop-off center in Boston, consider using a mail-back service. They offer many container sizes and mailing cartons but are paid services.
- Waste By Mail: Call 800-200-3581 or email info@wastebymail.com for a price quote.
- Stericycle: Call 866-936-3411 or visit the website for a price quote.
Needle and Syringe Safety
We are committed to keeping communities clean and healthy by removing needles and syringes and sharing safe disposal information. We take concerns about syringe and needlesticks seriously. Understanding what to do if you come across a syringe or needle can help you feel confident and secure, and keep everyone safe.
Find information on needle and syringe safety by clicking the button below.
Tips for Disposing Syringes
What to do with used syringes
Used syringes and other sharps should always be placed in a sharps container and disposed of safely. You can buy a container at major pharmacies and from online retailers. Bring the containers to a drop-off site identified in the Google map above. People who use drugs intravenously can enroll in a harm reduction program and access other services in addition to syringe disposal.
Do not clip, bend, or recap needles. Always keep sharps and containers away from children and pets.
Don’t put syringes in the trash or Recycling
Throwing syringes in the trash, recycling bin, or disposing of them anywhere that is not a safe needle disposal container is against the law. You could also get a fine. If you don’t use a safe container, you risk the health and safety of the public and City workers.
Boston Pharmacy Syringe Ordinance
In 2020, the City of Boston passed an ordinance requiring most pharmacies to establish a collection system to take back used sharps. The goal of this ordinance was to provide Boston residents with more convenient, safe ways to dispose of hypodermic needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other sharps. Pharmacies may establish a kiosk or collection point inside or outside of their premises. Any person may dispose of their sharps at any collection point, without charge, whether they purchased the sharps at that pharmacy location or not.
For any questions or concerns around a particular pharmacy's obligation under the ordinance, please email Boston's Inspectional Services Department at elaine.grillo@boston.gov.
Sharps Disposal Work
Boston Public Health Commission uses multiple strategies to dispose of sharps across the city.
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We maintain eleven outdoor kiosks for syringe disposal in Boston.
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We fund Newmarket BID’s Back2Work workforce development program to support clean-up of sharps in areas of the South End, Newmarket, Andrew Square, and Nubian Square.
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Our Mobile Sharps Team provides proactive sweeps in high volume areas and responds to 311 calls for improperly discarded syringes in public areas.
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We also provide training on safe sharps disposal to other City departments, including Boston Public Schools staff, Boston Housing Authority, and Boston Parks and Recreation.
