Needle Safety and Syringe Disposal
Safely disposing of needles, syringes, and lancets (sharps) keeps our communities safe. Find tips on needle safety, how to handle and dispose of syringes, and where to find drop-off sites across Boston below.
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, secure, and keep everyone safe.
Needle and Syringe Safety
- Avoid reaching into places you can’t see clearly (such as piles of leaves, overgrown bushes, and similar areas).
- Wear shoes with soles to reduce risk of injury.
- Teach children to never touch or pick up syringes/needles.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations, especially for hepatitis B.
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Wash the area immediately with soap and water.
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Call a health care provider right away or go to an emergency room for guidance.
While most needlestick injuries do not lead to infections, it is still important to contact a health care provider as soon as possible for guidance.
- In the U.S., there have been no known cases of HIV transmission from a needlestick injury caused by discarded needles.
- There have been very rare cases of hepatitis B and C transmission in these situations.
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.
Syringe Drop-Off Locations
You can safely and conveniently dispose of syringes 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.
Tips for Disposing 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.
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.
Mobile Sharps Team
Our Mobile Sharps Team provides proactive sweeps in high volume areas. They respond to 311 calls for improperly discarded syringes in public areas. There are eleven outdoor kiosks for syringe disposal that are located in hard-hit areas.
Training on safe sharps disposal is given to:
- Boston Public Schools
- the Boston Housing Authority
- the Parks Department, and
- other City departments to improve collection and safety on City property.
