Safe Disposal of Needles and Sharps

What are Dual Sharps Kiosks?

Receptacles for disposal of individual sharps or a small sharps container. This includes needles, injection pens, lancets and other medical sharps.

Who can use the kiosks?

Anyone!

Why use the kiosks?

Disposing of sharps in your regular trash is illegal and hazardous. These conveniently located kiosks help keep you, your neighbors, and sanitation workers safe.

How do I use the kiosks?

Dispose individual sharps in the kiosk’s bottom slot or small sharps containers in the top receptacle.

If you find used or unused needles on public property:

DO NOT handle them yourself. Call 311 to request safe removal by trained staff.

If you find used or unused needles on private property:

DO NOT handle them yourself. Alert the property owner. The City will not remove sharps from private property. If you are a property owner,Please do not place the sharps on public property for removal, as this may place the public at greater risk and be in violation of municipal ordinances.

If you find drugs or drug paraphernalia on public property:

If you find material you believe could be drugs, do not handle or touch those materials yourself. Call 911 if you believe there is an immediate risk to others, such as in a public park or near a school. Otherwise, report the issue to 311. Trained staff will be dispatched to collect and safely dispose of the items.

If you find drugs or drug paraphernalia on private property:

If you find material you believe could be drugs, do not handle or touch those materials yourself. Alert the property owner. The City will not remove drugs or drug paraphernalia from private property. If you are a property owner, please see this list of sharps and biohazard removal companies: www.somervillema.gov/hhs. Please do not place the materials on public property for removal, as this may place the public at greater risk and be in violation of municipal ordinances.