In response to safety and quality of life concerns related to syringes in public spaces, Addiction Response Resources (ARR) created a first-of-its-kind program that reduces the amount of unsafely discarded needles by offering a cash incentive for enrolled adults to return syringes. 

We launched our Community Syringe Redemption Program (CSRP) in the City of Boston, seeing firsthand the increasing safety and quality of life concerns related to needles in public spaces. From 2018 to 2020, there was a 400% increase in service requests for needle clean up in the City of Boston as well as regular media coverage of these worsening concerns.

With support from the Boston Public Health Commission and RIZE Massachusetts, our mobile program began piloting services on 14 December 2020. Our approach was based on the idea that a small cash “buy back” incentive would encourage safe disposal of syringes, improve quality of life, reduce public safety concerns, and reduce service requests related to syringes. Importantly, the CSRP also sought to create a low threshold income-earning opportunity, develop job readiness skills, expand access to lifesaving overdose prevention resources, increase engagement, and create a new access point for services. 

For the first six months of operations, our full-service mobile redemption program operated on Atkinson Street in Boston’s Newmarket Square, which is the neighborhood hit hardest by homelessness, substance use disorder, and related quality of life concerns. In June 2021, we expanded operations to two additional locations in Boston — Nubian Square and Haymarket Square.

The CSRP has exponentially surpassed our initial goal of collecting 1,000 syringes per week, collecting an astounding 4,366,696 to date, averaging more than 5,000 syringes collected per day. Since the program's onset, a total of 3,536 people have enrolled in the program. We have also distributed 3,781 masks and 3,757 doses of NARCAN to date. Lastly, since the program launched, there has been a 50% reduction in service requests related to needle clean up citywide.

Our Community Syringe Redemption Program is an effective, pilot-tested strategy to incentivize safe disposal of syringes, improve quality of life, reduce public safety concerns, and reduce service requests related to needles.

CSRP Media Coverage:

Grassroots Company Starts Needle Buy-back Program in South End The Boston Sun, 28 January 2021

40,000 needles collected, destroyed through new buy-back program Fox 25 News Boston, 2 February 2021

Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association gets update on needle-buyback pilot The Boston Sun, 23 February 2021

A 311 Deep Dive: What Are Bostonians Complaining About? Fox 25 News Boston, 23 July 2021

Syringe Redemption Aims To Keep Needles Off Boston Streets NPR News Boston, 9 August 2021

This unique buyback program aims to reduce needle litter in Boston The Boston Globe, 16 September 2021, front page of print edition 20 September 2021

The photos that helped us tell the stories of 2021 NPR News Boston, 15 December 2021, scroll to August

Financial support is one of the best tools for battling the drug epidemic The Boston Globe, 5 September 2022

CSRP Participant Quotes:

“I’ve been around a long time, and there used to be needles everywhere. There’s never been a time when I’ve gone out and not been able to find needles on the ground, but that’s what’s happening now.”

“Before I used to walk with my head down because I was afraid to get stuck with a needle. But now it feels like I can walk with my head up and my eyes looking forward. That’s a big thing.”

“This puts 10 bucks in my pocket, and gives me a few more options in the morning. I can buy myself breakfast if I choose. It’s a sure thing and something I can count on, which makes me stress less in the mornings.”

“The fact that we’re being paid to collect needles and clean up the community, it’s good work. It helps me realize that I can take steps to make the community safer.”

“I’m not a morning person. Sometimes I have to be because of the shelter times, but now, I’m waking up with more energy to work and clean up some needles.”

“This is a good thing for us. Even if people don’t realize it, I’m taking care of my community by doing this. The streets are safer and we’re cleaning things up.”

“I feel good to be able to do whatever I can to help. To help feels good. I get up feeling good and that just carries on throughout my day. I just keep that good feeling within knowing that my morning started positive.”

“This program is making sure I don’t go without. It’s knowing that I have people around me with my interest in mind that want to help me out.”